Cameroonian Teen Sensation Njiki Tchoutou Impresses on Debut for Nîmes
By BBC News Staff
At just 19 years old, Njiki Tchoutou is already turning heads in French football. The young Cameroonian winger made a striking debut for Nîmes Olympique in their recent match against Châteauroux, earning praise for his explosive pace and tactical intelligence.
On loan from Italian side AS Roma, Tchoutou joined Nîmes during the final hours of the winter transfer window. Despite limited time to adjust, he has already made a significant impact on and off the pitch.
“He’s so fast that we don’t even have time to reach the box—he’s already gone,” said veteran forward Toifilou Maoulida, marveling at the teenager’s speed. Fans were equally enthusiastic. “His runs are exceptional. He reads the game well and creates constant options,” noted one supporter.
Though he didn’t touch the ball in the sequence that led to the game’s only goal, many credited Tchoutou’s intelligent off-the-ball movement as a key factor. “He draws defenders out with his positioning and opens up the pitch. That’s something you can tell he picked up in Italy, where tactics are more refined than in France,” another fan observed.
Tchoutou’s brief time in Rome seems to have shaped him into a dynamic and disciplined winger. His style—characterised by direct running, constant pressing, and positional awareness—is already setting him apart in Ligue 2.
His early success at Nîmes has not gone unnoticed beyond club level. With Cameroon’s national team in the midst of a rebuilding phase under manager Volker Finke, Tchoutou’s name is already being whispered as one to watch. If he maintains his form, a senior call-up may be on the horizon.
For now, Nîmes fans will be hoping the young Cameroonian continues to dazzle in the red and white. With speed, skill, and maturity beyond his years, Njiki Tchoutou may be just getting started.
Reporting by BBC News.
