Celtic cannot afford another repeat of last season’s transfer failings when it comes to replacing Daizen Maeda.
The Japanese forward has been open about his desire to move on, and while he continues to give his all on the pitch, it is clear that his head has been turned. Brendan Rodgers admitted he knew of Maeda’s intentions as far back as February, which makes the club’s failure to plan for his departure all the more frustrating.
What happened in the summer is still clearly on his mind, and it’s showing in his performances.
Instead of acting decisively in the summer, Celtic blocked the move, leaving the player in limbo and running the risk of having an unsettled figure in the squad. Now, with January approaching, the board has had months of warning, there can be no excuses.
Supporters still haven’t forgiven the hierarchy for last January, when Kyogo was allowed to leave for France without a replacement lined up. The striker left mid-season, and the Hoops were caught short. That was followed up by an even more baffling summer window, where Kuhn was sold and Adam Idah’s 20 goals from the previous campaign were not replaced.
If Maeda departs in the new year, Celtic must be ready. A plan has to be in place now – not on deadline day, not as a last-minute scramble in the free-agent market. With the title race tighter and European competition still ongoing, standing still again is not an option.
The board are already on thin ice with the supporters. Failure to replace Maeda properly could shatter what little trust remains.
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5 responses
Jota, Balikwisha, Tounekti……how many left winges is it we need to replace Maeda???
im a massive fan of Maeda but if he wants to go we let him go but PLEASE for the love of ghod dont try to tell me we have not replaced him.
ive had more than enough of the cheap shots at Celtics recruitment, move on
How is he ‘in limbo’ – he was refused a transfer as Kuhn had gone and Celtic had no-one to replace him so it was too much of a risk/detriment to the team to let him go as well at that time – and that shouldn’t be difficult for him to understand.
He’s under contract and was more than happy to sign it and move to Celtic for more money than he was getting in Japan so if he had any honour or loyalty to the club and supporters that put him on the map, he’d get on with it and earn the wages he’s still being paid.
He’ll probably get his move in January but meantime he needs to knuckle down and show the talent which got interest from whomever his agent’s been touting him.
I did say at the start of the season watching madea his heart is not in it anymore should have let him go.Saying that up to now we are 54 goals”down on players who scored last season kaygo kunn adah so with madea scoring 33 all in so we are well short this season who will fill this massive gap up to now no one I can see playing for us will make up this shortfall on goals .
Best thing Maeda can do is okay out his skin and earn an even better deal for himself in January or whenever. I won’t criticise him as he has been superb for us. There are a lot more expensive players in the club not producing
A contract is a contract till it’s not not playing your best will not do you any favours only show you can’t be trusted and that will fallow you where ever you go.