Despite playing a lot at Cardiff during the first half of the season, Niels Nkounkou was recalled by Everton in January and sent to Saint-Etienne in Ligue 2 to finish off the campaign.
His beginnings with the French team were a bit shaky, but his manager, Laurent Battles, quickly sorted the situation out by moving him a bit further up the pitch, which is when everything changed.
We’ve already covered some of the praise for the Everton loanee in the past, and it keeps coming in France these days, with those around Saint-Etienne very impressed with what the left-back has to offer.
We’ll start with Peuple Vert, who look at those who have been shining lately, who explain he is one of the ‘great winners’ of the past few weeks.
He’s become an ‘indisputable starter’ for the club down the left, after his performances ‘convinced’ the staff, which has led to him scoring one goal and picking up three assists.
This praise continues via Elie Baup, who spoke to Poteaux Carrés, relayed by the aforementioned Peuple Vert.
About the Everton man, he said: “I’ve really liked Niels Nkounkou. He’s a player who I find gives off a lot of power. He’s very incisive. He makes the difference sometimes, but he needs to focus as well. I think he’s an interesting kid, knowing that he’s 22 years old and has a lot of room to progress.”
This is exactly what Everton will want to be hearing from their loanee, who is set to return to Goodison Park at the end of the campaign.
