Niels Nkounkou is already earning a lot of praise at St Etienne after leaving Premier League outfit Everton once again during the January transfer window, coach Laurent Batlles hailing the youngster’s pace and attacking intent (Ma Ligue 2).
After difficult stints with Standard Liege and Cardiff City, this feels like a classic case of ‘third time lucky’ for Nkounkou. The former Marseille youngster, embarking upon yet another loan spell away from Goodison Park, is making quite the impression in his latest home.
In his last three games, Nkounkou has one goal and three assists. Not bad for a full-back who, by Batlles’ own admission, still has a whole lot to learn.
“He is a young player who does not really know this role, but who brings a lot of verticality to our game. (A lot of) speed,” the St Etienne boss said after Monday’s 2-1 victory over Nimes; Nkounkou scoring one and setting up the other from his new wing-back role.
“He is very interesting offensively, but there are things to correct defensively. We are working a lot with video analysis to try to patch up some things.”
Niels Nkounkou proving that he deserves a fresh start at Everton
That 34th minute strike at the Stade des Antonins was Nkounkou’s first-ever senior goal at the age of 22. Not that you’d have guessed it, considering the poise and the precision in which he finished it off, racing in behind a high line before slotting home stylishly.
His assist for Ibrahima Wadji’s second was a lot more low-profile by comparison; Nkounkou setting up a counter attack before his St Etienne team-mate did the rest.
“It feels good,” Nkounkou said after arguably the finest performance of his young career. “I’m happy to score my first goal in the green shirt.
“I’ve been running a lot the last few days. But I gave my all today, and I had no juice left at the end. I’m happy to have given my all.”
With Ruben Vinagre expected to return to Sporting Lisbon this summer, leaving Vitaliy Mykolenko as Sean Dyche’s only first-team left-back, Nkounkou’s impressive progress across the Channel should not go unnoticed by the Everton bosses. Continue like this, and a first-team spot next season may be his to lose.
Come the summer, Nkounkou will have just 12 months left on his Everton contract. A short-term stay at St Etienne, however, may provide the platform for a possible extension.
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