One among this yr’s largest switch deadline day sagas was that of Celtic’s hunt for a brand new striker. The Scottish Premiership champions had been looking out for a quantity 9 to interchange Adam Idah, who accomplished a transfer to Swansea.
Brendan Rodgers’ facet had already introduced in 25-year-old Shin Yamada and 20-year-old Callum Osmand, however they nonetheless wished another confirmed striker.
Their search took them from the likes of Anderlecht’s Kasper Dolberg, who most popular Ajax, to Chelsea’s David Fofana, who most popular Charlton Athletic, after which lastly Kelechi Iheanacho, who they’re nonetheless trying to signal now that he’s a free agent.
Whereas the saga as an entire drew criticism from members of the media and followers alike, it was the failed method of Chelsea’s Fofana that drew essentially the most criticism from former Rangers and Scotland striker Ally McCoist.
McCoist staggered by Fofana resolution
Whereas on TalkSport with Jeff Stelling, the pair mentioned Celtic and different Scottish golf equipment’ tough switch home windows.
Stelling mentioned: “Take a look at Celtic, I imply, they haven’t introduced any strikers in. They tried. However David Fofana, who’s at Chelsea, he selected to go Charlton on mortgage slightly than go to Celtic.”
He then proceeded to ask McCoist: “Is that this all in regards to the notion of Scottish soccer? Or is it extra to do in regards to the quantities gamers are being paid?”
McCoist replied: “It’s acquired to be a component of each, proper? Nonetheless, you aren’t going to sit down there and inform me that Charlton Athletic are paying extra money in wages than Celtic? That simply can’t be taking place, proper? And that might stagger me. That may completely stagger me.”
On the opposite facet of Glasgow, Rangers have additionally had one thing of a tough window as followers have proven frustration in regards to the membership promoting greater than they’ve spent amidst their horrendous begin to the season.
Why Fofana wished Charlton over Celtic
Celtic does supply, on common, greater wages than Charlton. Charlton’s highest-paid participant, Allan Campbell, could be Celtic’s joint-fifth-highest-paid participant, however the drop-off in wages turns into obvious additional down the checklist as Charlton’s third-highest-paid participant, Conor Coventry, could be Celtic’s 18th-highest-paid participant.
Nonetheless, the tried transfer to Charlton by Fofana would solely have been a mortgage transfer, so he would nonetheless have been on the £30,000 per week that Chelsea pays him, with Charlton solely protecting a proportion.
One other issue that will have come into consideration for Fofana is that he doubtless wouldn’t have to maneuver home if he ended up enjoying for Charlton, as each golf equipment are primarily based in London. This high quality of life issue doubtless solely utilized to Fofana, nevertheless, and never their different failed pursuits.
The notion of Scottish soccer might have been an even bigger think about Fofana’s resolution, because the Championship is ranked seventh and the Scottish Premiership is ranked twenty seventh within the World Soccer Rankings.
