Nabil Bentaleb has been nominated for the Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award.
Nabi Bentaleb may have little future at Tottenham Hotspur, but his loan spell with Schalke has been fruitful – and he’s now up for an award.
Bentaleb, 22, joined Spurs from Dunkerque back in 2012, and by the end of 2013, he was already being named in the Tottenham first team by then-manager Tim Sherwood.
Tottenham’s Nabil Bentaleb
The Algerian was a key player under Mauricio Pochettino during the 2014-15 campaign, making 35 appearances in all competitions to earn a new and improved contract with the club – but it’s been downhill for Bentaleb ever since.
Tottenham fans react on Twitter after failing with January move for Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez
Bentaleb made just 11 appearances last season, and was made surplus to requirements by manager Pochettino, with Spurs eventually agreeing a deal to send him on loan to Schalke for the season, with a view to a permanent move.
Tottenham’s Nabil Bentaleb in action with AC Milan’s Nigel de Jong
With midfielders Victor Wanyama, Mousa Dembele and even Harry Winks impressing this season, few Spurs fans have been keeping close tabs on Bentaleb’s performances, but he’s enjoyed a strong season in Germany.
Report: Pochettino decides to activate £6m clause for Pau Lopez to join Tottenham permanently
Bentaleb has hit four goals and two assists in the league this season, playing 18 of Schalke’s 19 games, enjoying a fine season personally, even if the club have underwhelmed this term.
Now, Bentaleb’s performances have been recognised, as he is one of three nominees for the Bundesliga rookie of the year award, along with Borussia Dortmund winger Ousmane Dembele and RB Leipzig midfield maestro Naby Keita.
That’s strong competition for Bentaleb to see off, but his nomination shows just what an impressive campaign he is having away from White Hart Lane – yet, no matter whether he wins the award or not, he looks unlikely to feature under Pochettino again having been completely cast aside by the Spurs boss.
Rather than save his Tottenham career like Erik Lamela has under Pochettino, Bentaleb is more likely to head the same way as Tom Carroll or Andros Townsend, in leaving Spurs permanently to get first-team football having struggled for playing time under Pochettino; a manager who seems to stick to a decision, which in this case is leaving Bentaleb out of the Tottenham side.
Would you like to see Bentaleb return to Tottenham?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
