With speculation building over an imminent move from France to the English top-flight, Outside90’s Callum Read takes a closer look at Lyon forward, Clinton N’Jie.
There has been somewhat of a reputation building around Lyon’s academy success. In the past few years they have produced some exciting young talents who look destined for the top. If you don’t follow Ligue 1 closely you probably have not heard of Clinton N’Jie. The forward has attracted interest from English club Tottenham Hotspur and is a player the Lyon fans are most excited about.
The Cameroon international joined Lyon in 2010. He developed his game and progressed through the academy before making his debut in the 2012/2013 season during a 3-0 win over Reims. Struggling to nail down a first team place N’Jie had to wait until the next season to make a real impact on French football.
In 30 league appearances during the 2014/2015 season he scored seven goals and registered seven assists. The more impressive number here is that he only started 15 of those games.
Last season the headlines coming out of Les Gones’ were about Nabil Fekir and Alexandre Lacazette. Rightly so, they were magnificent and key part of Lyon’s season. It seems though that many have overlooked N’Jie’s performances.
In many ways he is the perfect forward, who combines pace with trickery and an eye for goal. His link up play with Fekir and Lacazette made the trio a formidable force.
We’ve seen a pattern in Lyon’s transfer business. That is, selling one of their better players to make sure the club abide by FFP. The two prized assets in Fekir and Lacazette have already made their intentions to stay in France clear. That leaves N’Jie next in line.
Spurs’ are believed to have agreed a £12 million fee. That would be enough for Lyon to cover their spending for this season. Some fans don’t agree with the concept of selling the better players, but it benefits the long-term safety of the club and in the modern game that is vital.
Lyon manager, Hubert Fournier this week admitted N’Jie could be on his way out the door, saying:
“A few months ago I was criticised for playing him, now he is leaving. It’s difficult but things go fast.”
So why all the fuss over the 21-year-old?
There is one thing N’Jie possesses that makes him stand out. Incredible pace. This allows Lyon to opt for plan B and put a long ball in behind the defence for the forward to meet.
Like most of the Lyon side his movement is very clever. He moves across the defence picking up spaces left by the opposition before beating his man or creating a chance. He’s very good in possession and rarely gives the ball away.
For his age he is a very mature player who puts the team before himself. Perhaps that is why the headlines haven’t been raving about him. Selfless, N’Jie would rather opt for a pass than try the spectacular, a trait that will take him to the very top of the game.
It is clear to see that Spurs lack pace upfront. Harry Kane is a fantastic goal scorer but doesn’t posses that speed. Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor look likely to leave this summer which opens up space for a dynamic striker to join the ranks. N’Jie would provide a reliable back up option for Mauricio Pochettino whilst also bringing versatility. He was used as both the main striker, a winger and behind the striker for Lyon.
Manager, Fournier is a big admirer of his forward.
He said, “Clinton N’Jie has an excellent goals and assists ratio over his playing time at Lyon. If you look at it from this point of view he is one of the best players in the league.”
The Cameroonian is rated very highly and if his form continues from last season, he has a big future ahead of him. This week Olympique Lyon completed the signing of French attacking midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.
His creativity and technical ability will improve the side massively. Whilst he is not the quickest the former Marseille man will certainly create a number of chances for the Lyon strikers, something that is much needed in the side but could also be seen as a replacement for the seemingly Spurs-bound N’Jie.
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