Celtic pundit Chris Sermanni has been talking about Mohamed Elyounoussi and has given his verdict about the Norwegian.
Sermanni was part of the panel that was discussing Elyounoussi on the latest episode of ‘The Cynic Weekly’ podcast. The pundit gave his opinion about whether the Hoops should look to sign the player on a permanent basis from Premier League side Southampton.
Elyounoussi arrived at Parkhead on loan from the Saints in the summer of 2019. Recent reports have stated that the Norwegian has already told his friends that he wants to stay at Celtic Park beyond this season.
While talking about Elyounoussi, Sermanni had high praise for the player, but believes that signing him permanently would be a risk for the Bhoys.
He said: “I think people do forget how good he was. But it is rolling the dice and it is a bit of pot luck now – before we signed Eddie [Odsonne Edouard] for £9 million, I said it was a risk – I still think it was a risk – but it was a calculated risk that’s paid off.
Should Celtic spend a record fee on Elyounoussi?
Absolutely!
No, it's a huge risk
“Elyounoussi could be in that category. I’m not saying he’s going to be as good as Eddie, but Elyounoussi could be – say you paid £9 million for him – if he keeps fit and consistently played in a system that worked for us, he could be the player that elevates us to another level. I do think he’s got that potential and that ability. But if you’re basing it on what he’s done in a Celtic shirt overall, it’s a really big risk.”
Sermanni is pretty clear in suggesting that if the Hoops shell out around £9 million to sign Elyounoussi, it will always be a risk for what would be close to being the club’s record fee, and would hand the Norwegian a huge task to pay it off.
TIF Thoughts…
Elyounoussi did miss 11 games due to injury in the 2019/20 season, but he still managed to contribute to 13 goals in all competitions (7 goals, 6 assists), including four goals in his 10 top-flight appearances (via Transfermarkt).
He boasts a pretty decent goal contribution rate, especially considering that this was Elyounoussi’s first season in Scotland. During a period in October, the 25-year-old had scored four goals and had picked up one assist in three league games, before being struck by injury.
So the ability – as Sermanni says – is clearly there, and his numbers could’ve been better if not for injury. So if the Hoops get the chance to sign Elyounoussi, they shouldn’t miss out.