Celtic might need to address their centre-back position when the transfer window re-opens in January.
Cameron Carter-Vickers’ long-term injury has thrown a spanner in the works for Celtic, with the backline now lacking balance and depth.
67 Hail Hail previously revealed that Celtic have been ‘made aware’ of three Chelsea players’ services ahead of the winter transfer window, including centre-back Axel Disasi.
We were told that Disasi ‘could be an option’ for the champions of Scotland in January, given that he hasn’t kicked a ball for Enzo Marseca since the New Year, and has not been part of any matchday squad this season.
But all of that has now changed.
Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling compete for the ball during Chelsea training.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Axel Disasi returns to Chelsea’s first team after being bombed out
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol said that Disasi, after being part of a ‘bomb squad’ at the start of the season, including training on his own, has now returned to the first team setup.
Injuries to Chelsea’s backline have played a huge part in that, as the 27-year-old could now go from expected to leave when the transfer window re-opens to playing for the London club’s first team again.
“What’s happened is Axel Disasi, the centre-back who they signed a couple of years ago from Monaco for £38 million,” stated Solhekol.
“Now, he was told, ‘You aren’t required. Go and find yourself a new club’ – he’s ended up in the bomb squad. Training on his own, or with Raheem Sterling.
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“But we have been getting information that he has actually been training really, really well. Chelsea have been impressed with his attitude.
“We told you a couple of days ago, he was in line to be reintegrated back into the Chelsea first-team squad, and that’s exactly what’s happened. He has trained at Cobham with the Chelsea first-team.”
Do Celtic need to sign a centre-back in January?
Liam Scales and Auston Trusty are Celtic’s only available senior centre-backs, with Dane Murray producing a horror show at Hearts last month and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey playing only one game.
If Simpson-Pusey returns to Manchester City and his loan spell is cut short, then Celtic certainly need to bring in more depth on the right-hand side of defence.
But with the suggestions that Wilfried Nancy is set to be Celtic’s next manager, and the fact that he favours playing three at the back, it probably increases the chances of the Hoops needing another centre-back.
Whilst Celtic were ‘made aware’ of Disasi’s services, it always seemed unlikely to bring a player of his calibre in, especially given that he is on big Premier League wages.