This post is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features unique perspectives from our FLW Fan Pundits on the most recent breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more…
Coventry City are flying high at the top of the Championship following a strong start to the season.
Coventry have been the dominant force in the Championship so far this season, and their prolific form in front of goal has helped them open up a five-point lead at the top of the league, with Frank Lampard’s side scoring an incredible 40 goals in just 15 matches.
Brandon Thomas-Asante and Haji Wright have led the Sky Blues’ promotion charge, scoring ten and eight league goals, respectively, while Ellis Simms has added two, so Norman Bassette has not been missed since joining French second division side Reims on loan in September.
Bassette joined Coventry from Caen for £2.5 million last summer, and while he struggled for consistency, he showed glimpses of his potential in the first half of last season, with Premier League side Newcastle United reportedly keeping an eye on him ahead of the January transfer window.
Bassette, on the other hand, finished last season with only two goals and one assist in 29 appearances across all competitions, and he barely appeared in the second half of the season after falling out of favour with Lampard, as well as being left out of the squad for both play-off semi-final games against Sunderland.
Bassette would have hoped to rekindle his form after completing a temporary move to Reims on the final day of the summer transfer window, but he has only scored once in nine appearances for Karel Geraerts’ side thus far, with his last start coming in mid-October.
Coventry City is expected to make a huge Norman Bassette transfer call after a disappointing stint at Reims.
When asked if Bassette has a future at the club, FLW’s Coventry City fan analyst Chris Deez said the Sky Blues should look to cash in on the 20-year-old as his bad run in France continues, and he questioned why things had gone so wrong for him at the CBS Arena despite his obvious skill.
“Norman Bassette is probably going to go down as one of the biggest what ifs in Coventry City history,” Chris shared with FLW.
“He arrived to a lot of adulation and excitement and was psyched up.
“During his early days at Coventry, he appeared passionate and determined.
“He’s one of those players who nips at the opposition’s heels, winding them up, drawing fouls, and booking players.
“He exuded the arrogance that you despise in opponents but admire in your own players.
“Every time Lampard mentioned Bassette, he talked about how much he liked him and the potential he saw in him, so I’m not sure why it hasn’t worked.
“Based on what he’s said in interviews since leaving and going on loan to France, as well as what he’s said in the past at his other clubs, I believe he has a bit of an ego and attitude problem, which is unfortunate because there aren’t many players like that anymore who have that personality and those characteristics.
“I genuinely wanted him to succeed.
“People were talking about him as the natural successor to Viktor Gyokeres, but obviously that hasn’t happened.
“I don’t see why he can’t do it at club level because he’s terrific for the Belgium Under-21s and can’t stop scoring.
“That’s a shame.
“I can’t see him working his way back into the Coventry team, and I don’t see his loan in France becoming permanent.
“I believe he will be one of those players who we simply must cash in on.
“I believe we paid around £2.5 million for him, which is a high price for someone who is unproven and has had previous troubles.
“I believe we should cut our losses and take £1 million – £1.5 million, possibly as much as £2 million.”
“I’m sure other teams will be willing to take a risk on him.
“He’s still young, so he has time to grow and mature, which is the most important thing for him.
“It could be a good idea for him to return to Belgium because he performs admirably with his fellow Belgians on the Under-21 national team.
“Maybe he’s homesick, I don’t know, maybe that’s why it’s not working out for him away from home.”
Doug King faces potential Coventry City transfer loss as Norman Bassette decision approaches.
It’s simple to see why Coventry gambled on Bassette last summer, but he hasn’t fared well at the CBS Arena, and owner Doug King may have to take a large loss on the £2.5 million premium he paid for the Belgium international if he sells him when he returns from France.
There is still plenty of time for Bassette to recover his form for Reims, and if he helps them to promotion to Ligue 1 this season, his transfer value may rise, but regardless of how he performs during the duration of his loan stay, it is unlikely to preserve his Sky Blues career.
If Coventry win promotion this season and the riches that come with it, they will barely notice the financial hit they will take on Bassette if they decide to cash in on him, but Midlands fans will be disappointed that the striker was unable to fulfil his potential at the club.
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