It was a mixed week for Tottenham Hotspur’s loan army as some have a week to remember, while some really didn’t as they continue to get minutes under their belt across Europe.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic)
The 24-year old has become a firm favourite among the Hoops fans this season, making 39 appearances in all competitions. (Getty Images)
There’s only one place to start this week and that’s with Cameron Carter-Vickers after the 24-year-old earned himself legendary status at Celtic by scoring the winning goal in the Old Firm Derby on Sunday.
The Spurs defender lashed home a low shot after a free-kick into the box fell his way, and his 42nd minute strike proved to be the winner in a derby which helped Celtic move six points clear of Rangers in the title chase.
Carter-Vickers was named man of the match and was superb in his defensive work, winning eight of his 10 duels, plus nine clearances and three interceptions in a commanding display.
His winner in the 2-1 triumph over Rangers on Sunday moved Celtic six points clear at the top of the table and on the brink of regaining the league title at the first time of asking under Ange Postecoglou.
However, talks between the Hoops and Tottenham are said to be ongoing with the Parkhead side having a £6 million option to buy the centre back as part of the current season long loan deal.
A deal for Carter-Vickers could reach as much as £10 million, and the report reveals that the defender’s camp believe remaining with Celtic is the best move for him at this time.
The 24-year-old has four goals and one assist from his 37 games in all competitions for Celtic so far in this big season in his career.
Bryan Gil (Valencia)
Bryan Gil leaves the pitch after picking up an injury during the La Liga Santander match between Valencia CF and Cadiz CF. (Getty Images)
Gil has made a tremendous impact since joining Valencia on loan on transfer deadline day – so much so that the La Liga club are already said to be working on extending the winger’s stay at the Mestalla.
Gil picked up an injury in Valencia’s 0-0 home draw at Cadiz on Sunday and had to leave the action after 78 minutes.
Spanish radio station RadioEsport claimed on Monday that Gil underwent some low intensity work in the gym and had discomfort in his lower back and part of his hip and did not train with his team-mates.
The La Liga club were awaiting the results of test on the injury for a player who has quickly become a key part of their team.
Gil has made 11 appearances for the Spanish side, registering one assist since his switch from Tottenham.
Tanguy Ndombele (Lyon)
Ndombele grabbed an assist for Lyon in their 3-2 home win against Angers in Ligue 1 on Sunday. (Getty Images)
Ndombele has reminded Spurs fans of his incredible talent by setting up Moussa Dembele to break the deadlock in Lyon’s Ligue 1 fixture with Angers.
Ndombele played a swift one-two on the edge of the area before slipping through Dembele one-on-one to slot home in the 26th minute at the Groupama Stadium.
The 25-year-old has seemingly rediscovered his form with French newspaper L’Equipe dubbed Ndombele as a “master of tempo” and has become a key player for a side that are struggling this season managed by Dutch coach Peter Bosz.
Ndombele will be back in the UK this week as Lyon take on West Ham in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final at the London Stadium on Thursday.
Gionavi Lo Celso
Gionavi Lo Celso of Villarreal CF looks on during the LaLiga Santander match between Levante UD and Villarreal CF. (Getty Images)
Lo Celso got just 28 minutes from the bench on Saturday as Villarreal slipped to a 2-0 defeat in La Liga at Levante.
The Spanish side could well have had one eye on the Champions League as they host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarter-final on Wednesday evening.
Lo Celso has made 10 appearances for Unai Emery’s team since his deadline day switch from Tottenham.
Pape Matar Sarr (Metz)
Sarr came off the bench for Metz on Sunday for the second game in a row, for 22 minutes in the 2-1 home defeat to Monaco.
Metz sit second from bottom in Ligue 1 in 19th and are four points adrift of 18th-placed St Etienne, who lie in the relegation play-off spot, while Lorient and Clermont are both a further point ahead.
The 19-year-old did enjoy international joy though, having come off the bench for six minutes of Senegal’s World Cup qualification match against Egypt in the week with his country earning their place after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
The teenager has now played 26 times for Metz this season as he aims to show Tottenham what he’s about when he returns to N17 in the summer.
Troy Parrott (MK Dons)
Troy Parrott is in the finest form of his career.
Having endured a difficult spell at MK Dons earlier in the season, the Irishman has now very much kicked things up a couple of gears.
Parrott finds the back of the net with his stunner against Lithuania and he did very much against Crewe Alexandra in the midst of their promotion push.
Running in behind to seek out a long ball from one his teammates, Troy Parrott produced an incredible touch to pluck the ball out of the air and then dink the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
This was Parrott’s sixth goal in the league this season, going along six assists.
He will be hoping to find the back of the net with more regularity in the months ahead as his team push for a place in the Championship next season.
Jack Clarke (Sunderland)
Clarke played the full 90 minutes in Sunderland’s 1-0 home win against Gillingham on Saturday.
The 21-year-old has now played 12 matches for the sixth-placed League One side, scoring once and providing one assist, as they look to find a route back to the Championship.
Nile John (Charlton Athletic)
John’s loan move to Charlton Athletic continues to come without a minute of first team football after he missed out again on the matchday squad in their 2-1 defeat at home to Lincoln City.
The 19-year-old has been an unused substitute on four occasions for Charlton and left out of the squad altogether in nine other League One matches.