Pundit Noel Whelan has claimed that Celtic may yet be able to hold onto their talisman, Odsonne Edouard, depending on how highly he places European football on his list of requirements.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan doesn’t think Hoops fans should give up hope of the Frenchman staying beyond the summer just yet.
So what has Whelan said?
When the former Aberdeen striker was asked if he sees “French Eddy” still strutting his stuff at Parkhead next season he said:
“It is the million-dollar question. Everybody wants goalscorers in their side.”
“The only saving grace could be that if Edouard moves to the Premier League he might not be playing in Europe. One thing you are going to get with Celtic is a massive club, always in the Champions League and the chance to showcase himself in Europe.”
“If it is worth giving that up to come to the Premier League, to a club that might be finishing eighth then yes – they will have their hands full to keep him at the club.”
So is Whelan correct?
The issue that Edouard may have is that he has achieved everything possible in Scotland and proven to be an outstanding talent in both domestic and continental football.
Given the clubs that have been linked with the striker – Manchester United, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, to name but a few – he may well be able to have his cake and eat it.
At the end of this season Edouard will have been at Celtic for three seasons and will feel that a move to a more competitive league will not only help him to improve as a player but also enhance his chances of an international call-up for the French senior side after starring for the under-21s this term.
Will Edouard be at Celtic next season?
Yes
No
Had he only been at the club a short while the potential of Champions League football could have been enough to encourage him to stay for another season but with the possibility of more than trebling his wage and playing European football, it is unlikely that he will be in the green and white hoops beyond this summer where he will look to finish with a flourish and an unprecedented fourth consecutive treble in the bag.