Forgotten Celtic striker Albian Ajeti earns over two times more than Giorgos Giakoumakis, who made the move to Parkhead during the summer transfer window.
Ajeti and Giakoumakis are currently the only two senior strikers available to manager Ange Postecoglou, and the duo are currently taking home very different pay packets. While Ajeti earns £18,000 a week (as per Salary Sport) – less than just four of his teammates – Giakoumakis receives £8,200, which is more than two times less than the Swiss international.
Are the Bhoys getting value for money? We take a look.
Ajeti v Giakoumakis
In the weeks after Ajeti’s move from West Ham United to Glasgow, it appeared Neil Lennon and co had got their hands on a top forward, having paid £4.5m for his services. His first six Scottish Premiership games produced five goals, including the winner against Dundee United on his debut. However, he managed just one goal throughout the rest of the campaign as his initial purple patch wore off.
He has played just 17 times in all competitions this season, scoring only three goals. Injuries have thwarted his ability to contribute – the 25-year-old has missed 22 games this term as he struggled with a hamstring issue.
Giakoumakis has also had his health problems, sitting out five matches at the start of the campaign as he recovered from a knee injury. That, though, has not stopped him from displaying the clinical finishing that saw him win the Eredivisie Golden Boot last term despite playing for relegated VVV-Venlo. In 23 matches in all competitions, he has found the back of the net 12 times, with only eight players netting more than his eight league goals in the Scottish top flight.
Since the end of last summer’s transfer window, Celtic have paid Ajeti and Giakoumakis £576,000 and £262,400 respectively. While the former has picked up £192,000 per goal, the latter’s strikes have come at a premium of just £21,867. The discrepancy is clear for all to see.
TIF Verdict…
This shows that salary alone does not correlate with a player’s ability or importance. Coming from a Premier League club, Ajeti was always going to be relatively expensive, but Giakoumakis’ low salary is not as easily explained. At just 27 years of age, he has plenty of time left ahead of him, and his record in the Netherlands illustrated just how lethal he can be in front of goal.
Who would you rather have starting up front?
Georgios Giakoumakis
Albian Ajeti
16 players are thought to be better remunerated than Giakoumakis at Celtic Park – a number that includes the disgraced Boli Bolingoli, who is best remembered for breaking pandemic regulations to travel to Spain last season. The Bhoys hierarchy may want to have a closer look at the money they are spending on wages moving forward.