Celtic Transfer Options - Midfield

We know of the strength in depth Celtic have had in midfield in recent years. This season there is still the likes of Callum McGregor, Ismaila Soro, David Turnbull and Tom Rogic at the club. With the signing of Liam Shaw there is definitely a case to be made for there not to be another midfielder signed but today I’ll be looking at five players Ange Postecoglou could look to to provide something extra in the engine room. 

Adam Maher - Adam Maher has spent most of his career in the Eredivisie. For the last two years, he’s played for FC Utrecht, helping them to two consecutive 6th place finishes. At 27, Maher now may look to seek a new challenge after making 90 appearances in the Dutch top flight in the last four seasons scoring 7 goals and assisting a further 17. Maher is a deep lying playmaker. He excels in winning the ball back and playing key passes to the forwards to open up defences. The Dutchman is also a terrific set piece taker who loves to shoot from distance; three of his last five Eredivisie goals have came from outside the box. In the last four seasons in the league, Maher has made 1.5 tackles per game as well as an impressive 1.7 interceptions per match, showcasing his defensive capabilities. I mentioned Maher’s set piece ability, he’s managed 1.4 accurate crosses per game in the last four years. Maher is also a progressive ball carrier, making 1.1 successful dribbles per match in the last four Eredivisie campaigns. We’ve already spoke of Maher’s passing ability and his vision is one of key strengths. Maher has made 1.5 key passes per match in the last four years. The midfielder has created 2.1 chances per game for his teammates in the same time frame. These stats suggest an extremely talented, skilful and well rounded player. This is exactly what Celtic would be getting with the signing of Adam Maher. The 27 year old has only one year left on his current contract which expires in the summer of 2022. As we’ve seen before, this means a cut price deal could be available. 

Johan Hove - Celtic have had success in the Norwegian market in recent years with the signing of Kristoffer Ajer. The Hoops even tried their luck again by bringing in Leo Hjelde so it has been proven that the club are definitely interested in the conveyer belt of talent that is coming out of the Scandinavian nation. Johan Hove already has 97 senior appearances to his name at the age of 20 and has been a key player for Strømsgodset in the last few years. Hove is more of an advanced player than Adam Maher and this is evident with the fact that he’s made, on average, just 1 successful tackle per game in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Norwegian Eliteserien seasons. In the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, Hove has made 1.2 key passes per match as well as creating 1.3 chances per game in the same time scale. In the 2020 season, Hove scored 10 goals and got 2 assists in 30 games. These numbers made him the joint top goalscorer at his club; admirable for a midfielder. Hove was involved in just over a quarter of Strømsgodset’s goal in 2020 as he aided them in eluding relegation. The 20 year old has also been capped by Norway at under 21 level five times. Hove has been a key part of Strømsgodset’s midfield and one of their most creative players. Celtic have plenty of young talent in midfield and adding Hove to the squad would bring more depth, innovation and potential to the team. 

Krystian Bielik - Krystian Bielik could provide Celtic with something they’re missing in midfield. The Pole stands at 6”2 and would give The Hoops a physical presence in the middle of the park which may have been lacked in recent years. Bielik has played in a holding midfield role for Wayne Rooney’s Derby and is the most defensive minded midfielder in this article. Due to his stature, it is no surprise tackling and aerial duels are two of Bielik’s strong points. The 23 year old joined Premier League side Arsenal in 2015 after only making 6 appearances for Legia Warszawa in his homeland. After spending two years with the Gunners and playing just 7 times he was sent out on several loan spells to Birmingham City, Walsall and Charlton Athletic respectively. Derby County acquired Bielik’s services on a permanent basis in the summer of 2019 for a hefty £7.4 million fee. In his two years at the club, Bielik has racked up 33 Championship appearances. During this time, Bielik has averaged 1.7 tackles per game and 1.8 interceptions per match. Dribbling is also a significant part of Bielik’s game and the holding midfielder has made 1.3 successful dribbles per match in the past two seasons. Bielik averaged 41 accurate passes per game in the 19/20 and 20/21 campaigns. The success rate of his passing was 82.5%. There would be one catch to signing Krystian Bielik this summer for Celtic though. That is the fact that he’s been out with a cruciate ligament injury since January of this year and isn’t due back until late September. So, if Celtic were to sign Bielik, he wouldn’t even be fit to play. Maybe this is one for the January transfer window. 

Eduard Atuesta - I try my best to include at least one player in each of these lists that ticks outside the box. Eduard Atuesta certainly fits into this category. The 24 year old plays for Los Angeles FC in the MLS and has done for the past three years. Atuesta recently hit the 100 appearance mark for his side and he’s scored 8 goals and bagged 14 assists in this time. The Colombian likes to sit deep and control the play, using his sublime vision to set up chances for the likes of Carlos Vela for LAFC. Atuesta is also competent defensively, averaging 1.3 successful tackles per match in the last four MLS campaigns as well as the same number for interceptions per game in the same time frame. We’ve already spoke of Atuesta’s passing ability but the stats back this up. In the last 4 years, he’s made 1.2 key passes per match. Atuesta has also created 1.4 chances per game in the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 MLS campaigns. The midfielder’s set piece ability is one of his best qualities. Three out of Atuesta’s eight LAFC goals have been free kicks. Brazilian club Palmeiras were linked with a move for Atuesta recently. LAFC were reportedly looking for around $4 million. This translates to around £2.9 million, a bargain for one of the top midfielders in the American top flight. 

Cameron Puertas - Cameron Puertas has enjoyed a stellar first season in Switzerland’s top flight after helping Lausanne to promotion in the 19/20 season; his side achieved a vastly impressive 6th place finish in the Swiss Super League in 20/21. Puertas is a combative midfielder, ball winning midfielder who drives his team forward through progressive dribbles and passes. The 22 year old averaged 3.0 successful tackles per match last season, the highest of any player in the Swiss Super League, 2nd place was Servette’s Anthony Sauthier with 1.8. The Swiss made 1.4 interceptions per match in the 20/21 season, displaying his ability to read the game. Going back to Puertas’ passing and dribbling, the midfielder made 1.0 key passes per match last season as well as 1.5 successful dribbles. Signing Cameron Puertas may well be a slight gamble for Celtic, considering he’s only had one good campaign in a top league. However, if the 22 year old manages to keep up the consistency over the next few seasons, the Hoops could find themselves a key midfielder for years to come.