According to the reports from the Telegraph, Croatian centre-half Filip Benkovic will be made available to prospective clubs for a loan deal in January by Leicester City. The 22-year-old has failed to make a breakthrough in the Leicester lineup given the impressive form of Turkish international Çağlar Söyüncü and Jonny Evans. Experienced campaigner Wes Morgan is currently the backup option, and as a result, Benkovic has even failed to make it to the bench this season.
Lennon’s centre back options
With this latest update, we think that Celtic might stand a good chance of getting him on loan in January. Neil Lennon spent the big bucks in the summer to land Christopher Jullien after the departure of Dedryck Boyata and Benkovic from last season. Jozo Simunovic is currently out with a long term injury, and he is only expected to recover somewhere in January next year. Now, the club is deploying Kristoffer Ajer and Jullien as the first choice centre back option.
Nir Bitton is another player who has caught the eye this season. The defensive midfielder was used as a makeshift option at the back, and it is fair to say that he did his job with distinction. The emergence of Bitton has eased Lennon’s problem of losing Simunovic. Summer arrival Hatem Abd Elhamed has also proved his versatility by playing in defence.
Therefore, right now, the signing of Benkovic isn’t an absolute necessity for Lennon. However, some injury troubles can expose some of his problems at the back.
Moreover, it wouldn’t be easy for Simunovic to get back to his former best straightaway after a lengthy injury lay off. The club might have to be patient with him, and he might need some extra time to get back to his best.
What should be Lennon’s play?
At this moment, we think that signing of Benkovic is in the balance. However, if the club faces an injury issue somewhere around January or someone like Simunovic needs more time than usual to recover then Celtic can go after Benkovic.
The Croatian played a crucial role in defence for the Hoops last season. Benkovic is calm and composed under possession, and he also has that physical side to his game which is needed to thrive in the Premiership. Given his tall frame, he is understandably dominant in the air, and there is no doubt that he will make a positive impact if Celtic can get him again.
However, Lennon can wait for now as signing a centre back isn’t really a necessity given the performances of Bitton and Elhamed.
