Al-Ittihad have ‘question to answer’ over ex-Celtic star Jota
Former Celtic star Jota faces an uncertain future at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
The winger joined the Tigers two months ago for £25million but is yet to start a league game.
Speculation has swirled that the 24-year-old could be set for an instant transfer away from the club, while other reports have discussed dressing room fallouts involving the forward.
Al Ittihad have a cap on foreign players, with only eight being allowed in their squad.
With Liverpool’s Mohammad Salah being the player they are keen to attract before the end of their domestic transfer window, this has called Jota’s future into question once again.
The Athletic states that: “Jota was initially signed with a view to switching to Espirito Santo’s favoured system with wingers, but has so far played with a narrow diamond.
“Salah and Jota are ‘key to that vision’ but a lack of headway with Salah has proved troubling. That means Al-Ittihad either find an alternative target for the left-wing position or stick to their current narrow set-up which leaves them with a Jota question to answer.”
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has revealed he spoke to Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers about how to get the best out of Odsonne Edouard.
The former Hoops striker has made a flying start to the season, netting four goals in his first five games.
After spending four seasons at Parkhead, he joined the London club in the summer of 2021.
The striker thrived during Rodgers’ first spell in charge and Hodgson stated that the Northern Irishman has nothing but good things to say about the forward.
He said: “He was very good throughout. He came here from Celtic where he was so highly-regarded and scored I don’t know how many goals and was a big, big star.
“When we first came back to the club he had not established himself as much as he would have liked.
“He did get that position as a centre-forward when we came in and he has got better and better, knowing how we want to try and play.
“He hadn’t lost the technique, talent, the skill or the things that made him so big at Celtic. I spoke to Brendan Rodgers not so long ago and he was glowing in his praise about him.”
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How Celtic’s Champions League Opponents Faired At The Weekend
It is fair to say the past few days have been hectic for Celtic. On Sunday, the Bhoys came away from Ibrox with a 1-0 victory, although before that, there was the transfer deadline and Champions League group stage draw.
In the latter, the Bhoys were thrown into Group E alongside Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, and Lazio. The majority of supporters were pleased with the draw which was rather even.
Each clash will be arduous in its own right yet there is no way in which the Hoops cannot succeed in the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition. And over the weekend, two of their three opponents were in action.
On Sunday evening, pot two side Atletico were due to take on Sevilla although due to bad weather in the Spanish capital, the match had to be postponed. Atleti’s will now have to wait until after the international break to get back in action.
Although the Spanish side didn’t get to play over the weekend, the likes of Feyenoord and Lazio did. Away at Italian champions Napoli in an onerous league match, the Roman side came away shock 1-0 victors.
Luis Alberto and Daichi Kamada netted for Lazio in their maiden Serie A win of the campaign. They put in a solid defensive performance and scored with the only two shots they had on target. Maurizio Sarri’s men moved up to twelfth in the table with their win.
As well as Lazio, Feyenoord put in an equally impressive performance at the weekend. Away at FC Utrecht, the Dutch champions were on free-scoring form as they came away 5-1 winners.
Perhaps Feyenoord netted as many as they did because Vasilis Barkas was in goal for Utrecht, but the Rotterdam side did score five in their previous match. Arne Slot’s team have endured an upturn in form over their past two games, but still have to host Herenveen before Celtic visit De Kuip on Champions League matchday one.
All Group E sides who were in action at the weekend secured notable wins. Whether it be Lazio winning away at the Italian champions, Feyenoord thumping Utrecht or Celtic defeating their city rivals in their own backyard with no away fans, each side impressed.
The section is shaping up to be a vastly competitive one, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see things go down to the wire.
