As the summer transfer window draws to a close, the Celtic faithful are bracing themselves for the departure of a familiar face. Carl Starfelt, the towering Swedish defender, is on the brink of leaving the Hoops, as confirmed by manager Brendan Rodgers.
While the destination of his next adventure is yet to be officially announced, football journalist Fabrizio Romano has hinted at La Liga side Celta Vigo as the likely suitor. The Spanish outfit is reportedly still in negotiations with Celtic over the transfer fee.
Starfelt’s tenure at Celtic has been a rollercoaster ride, to say the least. Signed two years ago, the Swede’s early mistakes in the green and white hoops have been a sticking point for a section of the fanbase. Every misplaced pass, every ill-timed tackle, has been met with a chorus of criticism, a narrative that has seemingly overshadowed his contributions to the team.
However, a closer look at Starfelt’s defensive statistics from the last season paints a different picture, one that challenges the narrative of the naysayers. The Swede topped the charts in several key defensive metrics for Celtic. He led the team in interceptions and clearances, demonstrating his knack for reading the game and his aerial prowess. His shot-blocking ability was also unmatched, tying for first place in the team.
Starfelt’s distribution skills were equally impressive, with him leading the team in completed long balls. His tackling was reliable, boasting an 82% success rate, a figure on par with his defensive partner Cameron Carter-Vickers. Despite his aggressive style of play, Starfelt committed fewer fouls per game than CCV, showing his discipline and timing in challenges.
In the air, Starfelt was a force to be reckoned with, winning 70% of his aerial duels, just 5% shy of CCV’s rate. These statistics highlight Starfelt’s defensive solidity and his importance to the Celtic backline, a fact often overlooked by his critics.
As the saying goes, “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” and this could very well be the case with Starfelt’s impending departure. While some fans may not rate him highly, his exit will undoubtedly leave a void in the Celtic defence. The responsibility of filling Starfelt’s boots will likely fall on the shoulders of new signing Maik Nawrocki.
Nawrocki, despite his potential, will have a daunting task ahead. Replacing a player of Starfelt’s calibre is no small feat, and the young defender will need to hit the ground running to win over the Celtic faithful.
Starfelt’s departure may not be seen as a significant loss by some, his defensive contributions to the team have been substantial. His replacement, Nawrocki, has big boots to fill, and only time will tell if he can rise to the challenge. As we bid farewell to Starfelt, we must appreciate his efforts in the Hoops and wish him the best in his future endeavours.
