Fabio Borini has been far from prolific at Sunderland – as David Moyes was keen to point out. So why would Celtic want him?
Brendan Rodgers got the best out of Fabio Borini during the Italian’s loan stint at Swansea City, netting six times in 12 games to fire the South Welsh club to the Premier League in 2011.
Yet, in the six years since, Borini has barely netted a simple tap-in, let alone one of the stunning free-kicks that became his trademark in Swansea colours. Therefore, reports by Gianluca Di Marzio that Rodgers will attempt to engineer a reunion with Borini at Celtic raise a few questions.
Rodgers also worked with Borini during his days in charge of Chelsea’s academy whilst, in 2012, the 26-year-old became his first signing at Liverpool. However, in his last 100 Premier League games for the Reds and current club Sunderland, Borini has netted just 17 goals.
He’s also hit a dismal one in 17 games this season with Sunderland nailed to the bottom of the table. And recent comments by his beleaguered boss, David Moyes, suggest Rodgers should put history to one side and think twice about meeting up with Borini north of the border.
“Most seasons [Borini has] tended to come up with five, six, seven goals. My hope is that he still will, and we haven’t had any alternatives which I feel could cover for him,” a rather desperate Moyes, who is suffering from a paucity of attacking options, told the Sunderland Echo.
“I’ve had to play him, we’ve definitely been short in that area. His energy gives us something as well but I would say that his performances haven’t been great.”
Most Sunderland fans would agree. Borini’s relentless hard-work meant that he usually remained in favour with supporters despite his disappointing goal record but, with Sunderland now goalless in seven games and heading for relegation, there’s only so long the patience can last.
Therefore, is he really the player to take Celtic forward?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
