Why Celtic should offload centre-back Marvin Compper
Celtic have recovered their season well after a subdued start to their season. Since their departure from the Champions League qualifiers, their form has improved in the league and in the Europa League.
With Dedryck Boyata now fully committed to the cause, the defence has looked better in the past month or so. They have shipped in just six league goals in 12 games so far, proving why they are the defending champions in Scotland and are currently leading the table.
Kristoffer Ajer has been partnering the Belgian in central defence, with Filip Benkovic, Jack Hendry and Jozo Simunovic as the other options. However, there is one guy who is a real mystery to Brendan Rodgers and the Hoops’ supporters – Marvin Compper. The German joined the club during the January transfer window but hasn’t played a league game for them yet.
According to a report in Scottish Sun, the 33-year-old has described his life in Scotland as “idyllic”. Well, apart from the fact that he is unable to get into the Celtic bench for the games, the centre-back has only played one cup game for the Hoops – a fact not really on the lines of expectations when he first joined for £1m from German club RB Leipzig.
Hampered by a calf injury into one of his first training sessions at Parkhead, Compper couldn’t stamp his mark on the manager’s mind. A series of injuries were cleared up by June and he was expected to be a major part of the Celtic team in the pre-season. However, that schedule was also disrupted even before it started.
At that time, Rodgers had informed him that he could leave the club just six months after joining it. But as per the report, the player responded by claiming that he would be physically better and stable to challenge for a spot in the team. But as is the case thus far, the German hasn’t been able to convince the former Liverpool boss.
Verdict
Hence, it makes sense for the Scottish champions to offload the player and if required, buy a new centre-back. There is no point paying the wage bills of a player who is not even making the bench on a regular basis.
From Compper’s point of view, it would be best for him to spend his final few playing years where he can play games regularly and assert his defensive authority.