Niels Nkounkou

[Bluedylan]

Lack of LB links suggests the plan was to have him as the backup for the season (or maybe he's impressed enough in pre-season and training to have convinced them).

As others have said, seems to have plenty of attributes. Notice that he was compared to both Benjamin and Ferland Mendy in the scouting reports.

Credit to Brands for having him on the radar, and seeing an opportunity.

[Nicco]

talking of putting him as a LM, think I else's France played 3-4-1-2 last night against Sweden and Digne was on the left of the midfield

here


https://twitter.com/frenchteam/status/1302298972267184128?


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It was a bit more of 5-3-2 but with the wing backs pushing really high as soon as given opportunity.
And with Kante as your midfield sweeper it makes you play with 4 men in the defensive line when pushing wing backs forward and still keeping your midfield of 5 men. Kante plays two positions at a time, he really is that effective.

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[Toddacelli]

talking of putting him as a LM, think I else’s France played 3-4-1-2 last night against Sweden and Digne was on the left of the midfield

here


https://twitter.com/frenchteam/status/1302298972267184128?


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That's a fucking good looking team that. Reckon it will be another good couple of years for les bleus.

[Cozzie]

I'm having him ya know.

Thought he was great last night.

I know it was only Salford but that's irrelevant. Thought he looked really composed when he had the ball at feet.

Sometimes you can just tell when a player has it, he's got something about him, extremely confident for when/if he should step in for Digne.

[Toddacelli]

Had a few mistakes creep in at the end but that could have been fatigue or anything. Very, very impressed. Think it will take him a while to be fully comfortable. Hopefully his trajectory will coincide with Digne so he takes over naturally when Digne is ready for a new challenge.

[howard1334]

Think he's great prospect.  Will be interesting to see how he performs in the Prem.  Not sure he's ready defensively.  Positioning was suspect at times.  Also think he might struggle attacking against defenders who share his physical attributes.  But the coaching staff seem to have a lot of faith in him, which is a good sign.

[Gary1878]

So much confidence on the ball and he was so impressive that he made Kenny on the other side look actually quite poor.

His partnership with Gordon was great and it’s good to know we will be able to use these two lads together in a few games this season.

[Escla]

So much confidence on the ball and he was so impressive that he made Kenny on the other side look actually quite poor.

His partnership with Gordon was great and it’s good to know we will be able to use these two lads together in a few games this season.

Same pairing against Fleetwood even though that will be more of a test, don’t want to risk any of our Gallacticos against a Joey Barton team, am sure they will be told to go out there and kick shit out of us.

[Waltzer]

Same pairing against Fleetwood even though that will be more of a test, don't want to risk any of our Gallacticos against a Joey Barton team, am sure they will be told to go out there and kick shit out of us.

Kick shit out of us then stub cigars on our heads when we're down

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[Lxxx]

He's got a very upright, powerful, mechanical style like Mendy at City. The type to run through three defenders but not twist and turn in tight areas like Digne. He's a good option and loads of potential.

[hannu]

I was very impressed with him, could have a very bright future

[TheRam]

We’ve got a player here.

[Gary1878]

He's really different to any option we have. I actually think he could replace Digne against the lesser sides this season where we need to break stubborn teams down, as we don't really have an option like him who likes to get to the byline and create havoc.

At the rumoured £240k, he is astonishing value.

[hannu]

He's really different to any option we have. I actually think he could replace Digne against the lesser sides this season where we need to break stubborn teams down, as we don't really have an option like him who likes to get to the byline and create havoc.

At the rumoured £240k, he is astonishing value.

240 grand 240 grand Niels Nkounkou doesnt quite have the same ring as the seamus chant

[Mick 1995]

Had a few mistakes creep in at the end but that could have been fatigue or anything. Very, very impressed. Think it will take him a while to be fully comfortable. Hopefully his trajectory will coincide with Digne so he takes over naturally when Digne is ready for a new challenge.

I noticed he started making daft mistakes at the end and put it down to his age and how hard he had been trying for the first 75 minutes.
Him and Gordon made a few bad decisions - but they are kids and i'm sure the brief was "go out and play your game" so it was to be expected.

That flank looked like it was the first team guys that had kept their place to ensure the B team still had enough to get through the game.