One to Watch: Clinton Njie

Little known Cameroon international Clinton Njie has been catapulted into the limelight as he is expected to complete a £12m move from Lyon to Tottenham Hotspur. A natural striker who can also play on the wings, Njie is a perfect fit for a Spurs side hoping to secure Champions League football this year.

Njie started his career at Lyon, where after two years of consistent performance in the youth team, the striker got called up to the first-team in November 2012, coming on as a substitute to make his debut against Reims. The Cameroon man went on to make three further appearances that season, proving himself to be a promising talent at the age of 19.

During the 2013-2014 season, Njie again remained on the fringes of the French side’s team, making six appearances in all competitions that term. Unable to find his first goal for the club in a second consecutive campaign, many fans started to doubt the up and coming talent and his chances in the first XI looked to be running out.

However, the attacker proved his worth in the recent 2014-2015 season, breaking through and becoming a regular starter. Partnered upfront with French sensation Alexander Lacazette, the duo proved to be a deadly force and helped Lyon to a second-placed finish in the league. The pacey forward himself scored seven goals and also bagged six assists in 30 games.

Njie is also an established international for Cameroon, playing 11 times and scoring an impressive six goals. Making his debut on the September 6, 2014, the 21-year-old hasn’t looked back and has secured a starting spot in the national team.

Comparisons have already been made between Njie and Cameroon legend Sameul Eto’o. The pair have similarities as they are both quick, clinical finishers and extremely self-confident. He will surely hope to emulate the extraordinary success that Barca legend Eto’o has enjoyed throughout his career.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has long been interested in the forward and hopes that securing him will provide Harry Kane with a talented strike partner. Despite both having different styles, the Argentine hopes that Njie’s pace and skill on the ball will combine with Kane’s raw goalscoring ability and strength, to provide a formidable partnership that will fire Spurs to a top-four finish.

Although not the finished article yet, Lyon’s number 14 is a gifted forward who has plenty of time to blossom into a star and to spearhead the Spurs attack for seasons to come. If Pochettino is successful in acquiring the Cameroonian, it will be a shrewd piece of business by the team from North London.

Attributes:

Pace: 10/10
Heading: 6/10
Power: 8/10
Passing: 8/10
Tackling: 6/10

Total: 38/50