The reports of Celtic pursuing Yuki Kobayashi has been reported to the nth degree by various mainstream media sites as well as all the Celtic bloggers and the wider Celtic community.
It does seem that with all the flurry of excitement surrounding the potential of a deal for a new player, the wider story, in my opinion, is that if Celtic do get this signing over the line, it could spell the end of two current Hoops players careers.
Firstly, Stephen Welsh could be one that is deemed as surplus to requirements.
The Scottish international has found it difficult to break through to the first team with the form of CCV and Carl Starfelt last season and the signing of Moritz Jenz this season sees Welsh drop to fourth in the pecking order.
Welsh is at a stage of his career where he needs regular first-team football to continue his development and his lack of game time may see the defender even push himself to a move if he is to also keep his place in the national squad.
Secondly, Moritz Jenz could also see any hope of gaining a permanent deal diminish with the capture of the Japanese u21 international.
Jenz has been in great form this season for the Hoops and the injury to Starfelt has helped him not only get more unexpected game time, but also keep Welsh out of the first team.
I can’t imagine Jenz being offered the opportunity to stay at Celtic should Kobayashi be signed and then reserve himself to either 3rd or 4th choice defender behind Starfelt.
So it does look like it could be the end for at least of these two, if not both of them.
Total p**h. Kobayashi is a midfielder, not a defender, so why does that threaten the careers of Welsh & Jenz???
Are you sure about that?
I’ll wait for your apology btw