IS WESSAM ABOU ALI CELTIC’S DAIZEN MAEDA REPLACEMENT?
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 2 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Some rumors seem fanciful. But when they linger for a while, and show up again and again through multiple, unconnected sources, you start to wonder if there’s anything in it.
Such is the case with Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali. It’s not unusual for new Celtic managers to turn to their former clubs to fill the current gaps in the Celtic team.
One of Brendan Rodgers last actions as Celtic manager was to bring in Kelechi Iheanacho, based on their time working together at Leicester City.
Likewise, Ange Postecoglou recruited Daizen Maeda from his previous club Yokohama Marinos.
So, what about Wessam Abou Ali? Could he follow in their footsteps.
It’s not just Wessam Abou Ali Celtic Should Look at in the MLS
Assuming that there’s no last-minute hitches, and let’s be honest, with Celtic that is by no means certain, Wilfried Nancy will assume the role as our new manager early next week. He’ll have to navigate some tricky fixtures through December, including a Cup Final.
Once we make it to January though, he will want to bring in some of his own men. It’s also likely we’ll bid farewell to Daizen Maeda and a number of other players in the next window. Depending on who leaves, it’s possible we could have 7 or 8 new players coming in.
Wessam Abou Ali burst onto the scene during last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. His free-scoring exploits with Egyptian side Al-Ahly at that tournament was what earned him his multi-million dollar move to Columbus Crew in the first place.
Unfortunately for him though, despite an excellent start, he picked up an injury and hasn’t played for around 4 months. He is nearing full fitness again, but do Celtic really want to pin all our hopes on a striker, even one as prolific as Abou Ali, who has barely played since the summer?
Whether we do or not will probably depend on two factors: Does Wilfried Nancy believe the player can make the transition to Europe so soon after moving to the US? and perhaps more importantly, would Celtic’s spendthrift board sanction a move for a player who will likely cost a similar fee to that we paid for Adam Idah at the start of last season.
We would have to pay similar, perhaps even more for Columbus Crew’s current star performer, Diego Rossi, a 27-year-old Uruguayan forward. Rossi also offers the option of being able to play both on the wing and up front. Abou Ali, who is an out and out striker, noted for his physicality. Does not offer this same dynamic utility.
Of course, rather cynically, I do have to point out that are also plenty of “off the field” reasons for making Wessam Abou Ali Celtic’s first January signing.
Celtic supporters have been behind numerous charitable initiatives and public shows of support for the people of Palestine in recent years. This has also been a sore point among the higher-ups at both Celtic and UEFA. UEFA's selective enforcement of their ban on “political protests” at football matches (perfectly fine if its support of Ukraine, but totally unacceptable if its in opposition to Israel’s invasion of Gaza) has seen Celtic fined on several occasions for Pro-Palestinian actions.
On a side note, I wonder how fans of teams in Russia (another country that arbitrarily decided to invade its neighbor in violation of international law) feel when they watch Israeli teams continue to play in Europe while they are now in their 3rd season of UEFA exile.
Anyway, I digress.
Back on topic, the bond many, but of course not all, Celtic fans feel of solidarity with the people of Palestine means that any player we sign from that nation is going to have a hugely positive reception amongst the Celtic support.
If I was to be especially skeptical here, I would say that, regardless of whether or not he’s a quality striker, which he absolutely is, by signing Wessam Abou Ali, Celtic’s Board could use it as a means of, perhaps, trying to pacify current fan protests.
Also, it would be quite hilarious to see that same Palestinian flag that board members frowned upon when fans flew it in the stands, ending up on branded merchandise in the Celtic Shop. Afterall, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time the Celtic Board cast aside political principles in pursuit of profit, would it?
In closing, I would confidently say that Wessam Abou Ali is good enough to become a prominent first team player at Celtic. His arrival though would probably depend on who leaves.
As forlorn a hope as it may be, I still haven’t completely given up that the arrival of a new manager may give fresh impetus to players like Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, who have looked jaded in recent months, amid heavy speculation they are soon to depart Celtic.
At the very least, I hope Wilfried Nancy will sit these players down for a chat, and try to sell them on his vision for taking Celtic forward, before sanctioning any sale.
