The 22-year-old left Tottenham Hotspur on loan in the summer.
Schalke coach Markus Weinzierl has told Bild that on-loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is struggling due to the protective mask he wears.
The 22-year-old was in fine form for the Bundesliga side after joining on a season-long loan but his standard of performance has dipped over the past month or so.
The Algeria international broke his nose in a Europa League clash with Nice a month ago and has since had to wear a protective mask in the four games that he has played since.
Much has been made over Bentaleb’s dip in form but Weinzierl tells Bild that it is linked to the facial accessory which he is instructed to wear, though the German coach is determined to help him fulfill his “great potential”.
He said: “The mask disrupts and disturbs him. He is very much under pressure. Nabil is young, has great potential. We must shape it further. “
Bentaleb’s long-term future looks rather bleak at Tottenham. Manager Mauricio Pochettino is not short on centre midfielders, but he is perhaps not in the same class as the likes of Eric Dier, Victor Wanyama or Mousa Dembele.
Best case scenario, Bentaleb’s form picks up for the rest of the season and Tottenham pick up a sizeable transfer fee if Schalke sign him permanently.
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