Amidst all the pre-season tour, Champions League qualifying games and heavy expectations on Brendan Rodgers’ shoulders in replicating their last season’s success next term too, one constant nagging concern for the Hoops boss has been the uncertainty of Moussa Dembele.
The French star has been one of their best players last term and is clearly above the league in which Scottish Premiership operates. When Celtic had managed to land him from Fulham in July last summer, they had known that the youngster wasn’t going to stay at the club for long. His movements, his strength and shots had even Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane impressed and it is just a matter of time before Celtic are forced to leave him.
The 20-year-old is surely destined for greatness and would need to play at a bigger level to get the limelight he deserves. With the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Thomas Lemar all making it to the senior French squad, next season would be the ideal time for Moussa Dembele to change gear. And that would mean the player leaving Parkhead this summer itself.
What is quite scary is, Rodgers doesn’t really have a replacement for the wonder kid ready, who could take his place. And we don’t expect the former Liverpool boss to get one so soon either. World class forwards have always been quite scarce in the market and the available ones are priced at astronomical sums. Rodgers, at best, could bring in another youngster touted to become the next big thing in world football.
While Dembele has been linked with many a club over the past few months, things might speed up a bit now. According to reports, London clubs Chelsea and West Ham United are weighing up bids for the French kid as they struggle to get quality options up front. The recent heroics of Manchester United to get Romelu Lukaku from under the nose of Chelsea was a huge blow for the Blues and with them already asking Diego Costa to leave the club, Antonio Conte is in huge crisis for the striker.
West Ham United, on the other hand, has been without a potent striker for over a season now and after the flop show of Simone Zaza last season, Slaven Bilic is desperate to add one up top before they start the campaign in a month.
Celtic have been the best side in Scotland last season but in order for to make it further in the Champions League, the services of Dembele would be absolutely crucial. While Rodgers could increase his weekly wages to help keep him, the Bhoys lack the lure.
