If a recent report from Dutch outlet Voetbal International (as cited by The Scottish Sun) is believed to be true, Feyenoord are open to negotiations for the rumoured Celtic target Calvin Stengs. Supporters’ frustration is boiling over at Parkhead for their lack of transfer activity, and Brendan Rodgers, the Hoops boss, also looked dejected following his side’s scoreless draw against Kazakh outfit FC Kairat.
“it’s the manager who gets the sack, not the board. But listen, we have to go away and analyse tonight and see where we could be better, and like I said, the guys who are out there, they’re giving their all and giving everything. But like we’ve said many times, in order to progress at this level and into European football, we need to have more. It’s as simple as that.”
Addressed the gaffer when pressed about the fans’ fury and ‘sack the board’ chant.
Celtic lost Kyogo Furuhashi back in the winter but never replaced him up top. They lost Jota for months due to a knee injury, and the summer exit of Nicolas Kuhn further decimated them in the attacking third. While they roped in Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand, the pair have primarily been recruited as project signings, not as first-team options.
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 25: Ramiz Zerrouki of Feyenoord (L) celebrates with teammate Calvin Stengs after scoring the team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord and SS Lazio at Feyenoord Stadium on October 25, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Benjamin Nygren, the £2m recruit from Nordsjælland, has been the most prominent signing so far this window. But the Sweden international is being viewed as a box-to-box midfielder. This leaves them with Daizen Maeda, Yang Hyun-jun and James Forrest as the only available wide forwards, and the management must react immediately to avoid more setbacks.
Stengs, 26, progressed through the academy ranks of DIOS, Haarlem and AZ and was eventually promoted to the latter’s reserves for the 2016–17 season. His talent was rewarded with a regular senior status, and the French side Lille splashed €15m to tie him down in the summer of 2021.
Why Celtic Should Step Up The Chase
However, the Netherlands international was loaned out to Antwerp for the 2022-23 season. Lille sanctioned a €6m transfer back to his homeland with Feyenoord a couple of summers back, and Stengs, despite failing to leave an impression both in France and Belgium, revived his form at De Kuip under then-boss Arne Slot.
Although he missed the majority of the previous campaign due to persistent injury problems, Celtic should bring him to Parkhead for his flexibility high up the pitch. Primarily a ‘number 10′, the left-footed Dutchman would fit in well from the right, and therefore, could succeed Kuhn in Rodgers’ 4-3-3 setup if the club on the Meuse’s £5m valuation is met in due time.
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