Who is Spurs’ new striker Clinton Njie? Not many would have heard of him before Tottenham’s interest ramped up in the last couple of weeks. Able to play up front, and on both flanks, Njie is a 21-year-old Cameroonian who had, until recently, been playing for Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1. Njie is a signing that aligns well with Tottenham’s sensible summer so far – young, hungry and with plenty of potential – he will fit in well under Mauricio Pochettino and his systems. Interestingly, he is Spurs’ first attacking signing since August 2013.
It is important to note that Njie is very much a developmental prospect. He only started 15 games for OL in Ligue 1 last season, and that was his breakthrough season in the first team. He is still quite raw, with development needed. However the potential is certainly there, he showed glimpses of his talent last season, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists in Ligue 1. His record for Cameroon is also impressive so far – 11 appearances and six goals.
His style of play is something that Tottenham have been lacking lately – direct and pacy. Njie’s strengths include out-and-out pace, a confidence to take on and dribble past defenders, long shots, and interestingly, key passes. With the exception of long shots, the other three attributes have not been seen too often recently at White Hart Lane.
One differential that stands out from other strikers is his ability to play key passes and register assists. Countless times in Ligue 1 last season Njie could have taken a shot from a difficult angle as many strikers do; however he has shown that he has the vision and awareness to find a better placed team-mate. His ability to take defenders out of the equation is not to be underestimated.
Njie will not challenge Harry Kane for his starting spot this season, however expect to see lots of him in the Cups and Europa League. Crucially, he can play on the left, an area that Spurs’ are lacking in depth. He would certainly offer a different style of play to Nacer Chadli. If he starts off well, he could well push for a starting spot on the left of Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1. His pace and ability to harry defenders are attributes that fit in well with Pochettino’s philosophy and style of play, and he is coming into a system that has been proven to develop young players.
