Brendan Rodgers has frequently faced questions over his recruitment during two separate spells as the head coach of Scottish Premiership giants Celtic.
An accusation of stockpiling talented wide players has often been a cause for some concern, the Hoops boss questioned for bringing in wingers at a time where money may have been better spent elsewhere.
When Maryan Shved arrived in January 2019 from Ukranian football, for instance, he joined James Forrest, Scott Sinclair, Jonny Hayes, Daniel Arzani, Mikey Johnston, Tim Weah and Oliver Burke in Glasgow.
And former Celtic defender Mark Wilson was left bemused when the Glasgow giants paid £3 million to bring in Nicolas Kuhn in January, fearing Rodgers had not learned the lessons from his first stint north of the border.
“It’s not a position I thought was a priority,” Wilson told Clyde SuperScoreboard when Kuhn was snapped up from Rapid Vienna. “You always go back to Brendan Rodgers’ first time when he said they had a million wingers.
“When I count the wingers just now, (Liel) Abada, Yang (Hyun-Jun), (Daizen) Maeda, (Luis) Palma, Mikey Johnston (who is now on loan at West Brom), James Forrest…
“I didn’t think (Kuhn) would be Rodgers’ first signing.”
Could Celtic sign yet another winger?
Abada has now gone, of course, joining Chicago Fire in the MLS. Johnston, meanwhile, facing an uncertain future himself despite a fine spell with The Baggies. But still, Celtic’s interest in Portugal international Jota Silva means Rodgers could find himself coming in for similar criticism should the Premiership challengers step up their pursuit of another wide forward at a time when a goalkeeper, a left-back and a midfielder or two are arguably more pressing concerns.
HITC understands that Celtic, alongside Wolves and Leicester City, have been watching Jota Silva. A man who likens his all-action, mile-a-minute style to Liverpool’s Diogo Jota, but at Celtic could help fill the void created by the departure of another of his namesakes.
Jota Silva was handed his first Portugal call-up in March, and a spot on the plane to Germany for this summer’s European Championships is his to lose. One suspects that, if Celtic are to ensure the late-blooming 24-year-old does not move out of their price range, they’d be best advised trying to get any deal done before the tournament kicks off in June.
Jota Silva breaks 42-year record in Portugal
Jota Silva’s form at club level certainly suggest he’s worth pursuing, as does his ability to play on the left, the right, and through the middle as a striker as well as an attacking midfielder.
While scoring the winner against Moreirense last time out – his fourth in four successive games – Jota Silva took his tally to 14 for the season. As a result, he is now officially the most prolific Portuguese player to wear the colours of Vitoria Guimaraes for a staggering 42 years.
“(That Portugal call-up) motivated Jota because it was a reward for his journey, for his evolution, but also for the squad,” Vitoria coach Alvaro Pacheco says of his record-breaking talisman.
“We look at this squad and we see players with a lot of potential, with many young players to be able to reach the national team. It’s a sign that he is possible.”
For Jota Silva, many things look ‘possible’ right now. Exceeding his career-best tally of 15 goals, for one, followed by enhancing his reputation on Europe’s biggest stage during a summer in which he secures a life-changing move to one of the continent’s big-hitting clubs.
Celtic’s interest means familiar concerns are likely to arise about the club’s recruitment policy. But Jota Silva’s relentless goalscoring is certainly one way to silence those questioning the direction The Hoops are taking.
The post 14 goals, 7 assists; Celtic target can be their new Jota as he breaks 42-year record appeared first on HITC.
from HITC https://ift.tt/XzIt3W5
No comments: