"One of the best" - Jack Grealish comparison made as fresh Tottenham, Notts County deal touted | OneFootball

FLW's Notts County fan pundit has urged the club to extend George Abbott's loan next season, amid comparisons to Jack Grealish.

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…

Notts County secured the season-long loan of Tottenham Hotspur U-21 captain George Abbott in the summer, with the midfielder impressing at Meadow Lane for the League Two high-flyers already.

The 19-year-old midfielder captained Spurs to the Premier League 2 title last season, contributing a goal and two assists in the semi-final and final of their play-off victory. Abbott, who joined Tottenham in 2012 as a boy, made his senior debut for the club in May 2023 against Leeds United on the final day of the season.

London-born Abbott, primarily a defensive midfielder but also capable of playing at full-back or centre-back, took part in Spurs' pre-season campaign before heading to join Stuart Maynard's side for the season. Needing to take the next step in his development, he was given the green light to depart on loan in the summer after a handful of pre-season appearances.

Abbott is enjoying a real breakout season in the senior game with Notts County, which is his first loan move away from Tottenham. His influence on the Magpies so far, despite being one of the youngest players in the first-team, has seen him quickly likened to Manchester City's Jack Grealish as well as Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates.

Mainly operating in a holding role in their midfield, Abbott is a regular for Maynard, having started 23 of his 25 League Two appearances, playing the full 90 minutes in all but four, as per Transfermarkt. He's continued to impress following County announcing that he would remain with the club and not be recalled by Spurs towards the end of January.

The question for many is whether Abbott is someone who could remain beyond this season, especially if Notts County are promoted to League One. Many will hope that 2024/25 is not the last they will see of Abbott at Meadow Lane, with FLW’s resident Notts County fan pundit Stephen Smith hopeful of another campaign with Abbott.

He said: "George Abbott is somebody I think Notts County should be laying down the groundwork for a second loan deal.

"However, the way the guy has been playing means he's been noticed quite a bit over social media and on Twitter or X.

"But with his goals, and not just his goals but his engine in the midfield. It helps Matty Palmer to no end. He could potentially be a world class player if he keeps going.

"It's like when Jack Grealish came to us. You notice the levels of difference in the leagues he has played in. George Abbott, hands down, is one of the best loan signings Notts County have ever had.

"That's along with Callum McGregor and Jack Grealish. He is up there with the best of them."

George Abbott's potential and future is incredibly bright

Abbott's ability to read the game, pick a pass and generally just know where to be is already above fourth tier level, and he is one of the first names on the teamsheet now at Notts County for good reason.

His move to Meadow Lane has proved to be extremely successful so far, with Abbott featuring regularly and contributing both goals and assists.

The comparisons to players like Grealish aren't going away any time soon, such is the quality of his level recently. The England international spent the 2013/14 season with Notts when they were a League One side and he has become a regular for one of the most successful sides of the last 10 years.