Good players aren’t defined by just a season or two – the environment they are at always plays a part. This is the case for a few Tottenham Hotspur players who are on loan away from the club at the moment. One of which is Tanguy Ndombele at Lyon and another is Giovani Lo Celso. He has impressed during his time with Villarreal to the point where they want to sign him permanently, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Gio Lo Celso and Villarreal looking to strike up a Permanent Deal
How Has He Performed in Spain?
Lo Celso moved to London after thriving in La Liga with Real Betis. He helped Betis push for European football and has continued in this vain with Villarreal. His side just edged out German giants Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to a solitary goal from Dutchman Arnaut Danjuma. Villarreal have ageing players in certain positions, such as Dani Parejo and Gerard Moreno, making the presence and form of the new man all the more important.
Villarreal are more than happy with Gio Lo Celso. The plan is to open talks with Tottenham to keep Gio also next season, as there’s no buy option included in the loan deal. 🟡🇦🇷 #THFC
Unai Emery was key to complete the deal in January when OL approaches Spurs for Lo Celso. pic.twitter.com/ZsAbvNTTuz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 7, 2022
In terms of stats, the Argentine is actually yet to contribute either a goal or an assist for the Yellow Submarine. That being said, his role under Unai Emery goes beyond that, occasionally being the assist before the assist in a side that tend to favour defensive stability over lights out attacking. Lo Celso’s most productive season in Seville in the green of Real Betis saw him score nine goals and assist a further four, showing that this isn’t beyond him in anyway.
How Would Lo Celso Leaving Affect Tottenham?
As previously mentioned, Lo Celso isn’t the only man on loan away from that Tottenham midfield. Ndombele will cost a pretty penny but it is perfectly plausible that both him and the 25-year-old Lo Celso depart the club. Interestingly enough, manager Antonio Conte has said that he is pleased for Lo Celso with the success he is enjoying back in Spain.
Conte: “I’m happy for Lo Celso. To go back there and show he's in top form is good, especially because Tottenham paid a lot of money for him”. ⚪️ #THFC
“I am very happy for him, also Bryan Gil – they are playing very well in Spain. The club did the right choice”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 7, 2022
On top of Lo Celso and Ndombele, Bryan Gil is on loan at Valencia. It seems unlikely that all three will never run out for the Lilywhites again but they are still well equipped in the middle of the park. The likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Oliver Skipp and Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg are currently at the fore of Conte’s plans. Lo Celso may well be surplus to requirements once this loan comes to an end.
It isn’t a certainty that Giovani Lo Celso will see his loan move at Villarreal become permanent but it seems all parties would be content with this. The Spaniards and the player have both expressed an interest in this dream becoming a reality so we shall have to wait and see.
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