Alison McConnell’s recent comments on PLZ Soccer have sparked debate about the impact of transfer fees on young players, with Celtic’s Arne Engels at the centre of the discussion.
McConnell questioned whether the £11 million price tag hanging over the 20-year-old’s head is creating undue pressure, both for the player and the club. She pointed out that the significant fee might make it harder for Celtic to manage Engels’ development the way they normally would with a younger signing.
“I do wonder about the 11 million price tag that’s around his neck. You think if Celtic could maybe have paid two or three million for him, would there be as much scrutiny on them? Or would it make it easier, for example, to say Bernardo starts ahead of him for a time? I think when you’ve paid that amount of money, is there a pressure to keep them in the starting 11 all the time?”
McConnell’s comments tap into a wider issue in football: how big-money moves can hinder a player’s progression rather than help it. Had Engels come in for a lower fee, the club might feel more comfortable rotating him out of the squad or giving others like Bernardo a chance to shine without inviting backlash. Instead, the transfer fee inevitably adds a layer of expectation, often disproportionate to a player’s age or experience.
A Balancing Act for Celtic
Engels is still finding his feet in Scottish football, adapting to a new league, culture, and way of life. While Celtic fans can be understanding, the pressure to deliver week in, week out is part and parcel of playing for the Hoops. A price tag like Engels’ only amplifies that expectation, making patience harder to come by for some.
The challenge now lies with the coaching staff and the player himself. How do you block out the noise and focus on what really matters – development? For Engels, a bit of breathing room might go a long way in allowing his talent to shine through, but as McConnell suggests, that’s easier said than done when there’s £11 million at stake.
If Celtic can strike the right balance, they’ll have a star in the making. For now, though, the pressure is something Engels – and the club – must learn to live with.
