Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah is good enough to succeed in the Premier League.
That's according to ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas.
As reported by football.london earlier in the week, Bristol City are currently leading the way to sign the Gunners wonderkid on a season-long loan deal but are set to face competition from Leeds United.
However, Jenas has a message for Nketiah.
Whilst the BT Sport pundit agrees a loan move is best for the youngster's development, the former Spurs star is of the opinion that he would be better suited joining a Premier League club instead of dropping down to the Championship.
"You know what, Unai Emery has not shown me enough faith that he's going to give Eddie Nketiah a chance this season for him to stay," Jenas told the pools.com . "In Unai Emery's defence why would he when you've got Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang t the top end of the pitch?
"If I was Eddie Nketiah I would be looking for a move to the Premier League on-loan, somewhere like Aston Villa. He is that good.
"I think he has the ability to go and have a good loan season in the PL. But Bristol City do play good football and could be an option.
"He should get out as far as I am concerned. These players quickly become nobodies if they don't play. It's better to fail sometimes than do nothing as far as I am concerned.
"Even players like Chuba Akpom who was at Arsenal a few years ago and who was a huge prospect, he went to a few places and failed but has fallen on his feet now in Greece.
"He won the league last year and this might be the start of his career now.
"You have to play. Especially the way the game is going. It's going stat mad and one day someone's going to go 'Eddie Nketiah, 25, has played 18 games and scored two goals.' Excuse me what's going on here? They start formulating opinions that you're someone who doesn't want to take a chance.
"Or he's in his comfort zone. Get out there and show people you;re willing to try, willing to work."
The 20-year-old is currently behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in the pecking order but a strong pre-season has strengthened his case of needing regular first-team football this season.
Transfer deadline day for English clubs is Thursday 8 August, meaning Nketiah's future will be decided within the next 24 hours.
Jermaine is an ambassador for footie5 from thepools.com. footie5 is a weekly free-to-play football prediction game where you can win £25,000 just by predicting the scores of five matches from the English and Scottish leagues. Create leagues with family and friends and go for the jackpot. Download the app or play at www.footie5.com.
