Coventry City told to cut their losses on player many thought would be the "successor to Viktor Gyokeres" | OneFootball

FLW's Coventry City fan pundit has given his verdict on whether striker Norman Bassette will have a future at the club after his loan with Reims.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Coventry City are flying high at the top of the Championship after an outstanding 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 table, with Frank Lampard's men scoring a staggering 40 goals in just 15 games.

Brandon Thomas-Asante and Haji Wright have led the Sky Blues' promotion charge, with the pair scoring 10 and eight league goals respectively, while Ellis Simms has also chipped in with two goals, so it is fair to say that Norman Bassette has not been missed since joining French second division side Reims on loan in September.

Bassette arrived at Coventry from Caen last summer for a fee of £2.5 million, and while he struggled for consistency, he certainly showed glimpses of his potential in the first half of last season, with Premier League side Newcastle United even said to have been keeping tabs on him ahead of the January transfer window.

However, Bassette ended last season with a total of just two goals and one assist in 29 appearances in all competitions, and he barely featured in the second half of the campaign after falling out of favour under Lampard, while he was also left out of the squad for both play-off semi-final games against Sunderland.

Bassette would have been hoping to reignite his form after making a temporary move to Reims on the final day of the summer window, but he has scored just once in nine appearances for Karel Geraerts' side so far, with his last start coming back in mid-October.

Coventry City told to make big Norman Bassette transfer call amid frustrating Reims spell

When asked if Bassette has a future at the club, FLW's Coventry City fan pundit Chris Deez claimed the Sky Blues should look to cash in on the 20-year-old as his poor form in France continues, and he questioned why it has gone so wrong for him at the CBS Arena given his clear talent.

"Norman Bassette is probably going to go down as one of the biggest what ifs in Coventry City history," Chris told FLW.

"He came in to loads of praise and excitement and was hyped up.

"In his early days at Coventry, he looked passionate and determined.

"He's one of those players that nips at the heels of the opposition and winds them up, draws out fouls and get players booked.

"He had that arrogance that you hate opposition players having, but you love it when your players have it.

"Every time Lampard talked about Bassette, he was talking about how much he liked him and all the potential he saw in him, so I just don't understand why it hasn't worked.

"From things he's said in interviews since leaving and going out on loan to France and things he's said in the past at his other clubs, I think he's got a bit of an ego and attitude problem, which is a shame because you don't get many players like that anymore who have that personality and those characteristics about them.

"I really wanted him to succeed.

"People were talking him up as the natural successor to Viktor Gyokeres, but obviously, it hasn't panned out that way.

"I don't understand why he can't do it at club level because when he plays for Belgium Under-21s, he looks fantastic and he can't stop scoring for them.

"It's a shame.

"I can't see him working his way back into the Coventry team, and I can't see his loan in France being turned into a permanent one.

"I think he's going to be one of those players that we just have to cash in on.

"I think we paid about £2.5 million for him, which is a hefty fee for somebody very unproven and with clear issues in the past.

"I think we just need to cut our losses and take £1 million - £1.5 million, maybe as much as £2 million.

"I'm sure there'll be other teams out there who will want to take a chance on him.

"He's still young, he's still got time to develop and mature, which is the most important thing for him.

"It might be an idea for him to go back to Belgium because when he plays with his fellow Belgians for the Under-21 national team, he's fantastic.

"Maybe he's homesick, I don't know, maybe that's why it's not working out for him away from home."

Doug King facing potential Coventry City transfer loss as Norman Bassette decision looms

It is easy to see why Coventry took a gamble on Bassette last summer, but it has not worked out for him at the CBS Arena, and owner Doug King may have to accept a significant loss on the £2.5 million fee he paid for the Belgium international if he was to sell him when he returns from France.

There is still plenty of time for Bassette to find his form for Reims, and if he was to help them to promotion to Ligue 1 this season, his transfer value could potentially increase, but however he performs during the remainder of his loan spell, it is unlikely to save his Sky Blues career.

Should Coventry go on to secure promotion this season and the riches that come with reaching the Premier League, they will barely notice the financial hit they will take on Bassette if they decide to cash in on him, but supporters of the Midlands outfit will be frustrated that the striker was unable to fulfil his potential at the club.