Pundit Stevie Mullen has recently made a claim about Albian Ajeti and whether the Swiss striker can replace Odsonne Edouard in Celtic’s first team.
Mullen was a guest on the latest episode of ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ podcast and the panel discussed many issues surrounding the Parkhead side. One thing that they focused on was Ajeti and what he could bring to Celtic. Mullen talked about whether the Swiss striker’s signing could mean something for Edouard’s future at Parkhead.
Ajeti has now joined Celtic and the Hoops have signed him on a permanent basis. Initially, a loan deal was agreed with West Ham United, but the striker has now signed a four-year deal at Parkhead.
When talking about the 23-year-old striker and if he would be a potential replacement for Edouard, Mullen said that he doesn’t think that the Swiss striker would replace the Frenchman. He believes that Ajeti will help Celtic play a 3-5-2 shape more often.
He said: “I don’t think we’ll have brought him in for that particular reason [replacing Edouard]. I think it would be good that he’s there if an offer came in that we sort of couldn’t knock back. You’ve already got somebody in situ for them to take over.
Do you think Ajeti has been signed as a potential Edouard replacement?
Yes, I think so
No, they'll play together
“I think he’s been brought in hopefully – somebody else might disagree – to go 3-5-2 and he’s your second striker, now.”
TIF Thoughts…
While Ajeti didn’t score even once at West Ham last season, he did impress in the 2018/19 season at Basel and found the back of the net 21 times in all competitions and picked up 11 assists as well (as per Transfermarkt).
The Hoops used a 3-5-2 system many times in the second half of the 2019/20 season and they didn’t lose even once during that period. It could be a sign of how the 3-5-2 shape suits them more and if Ajeti can indeed be the second striker like Mullen says he can be, his signing will only help Celtic.