Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was reportedly desperate to land Chelsea starlet Charly Musonda.
With Chelsea announcing their squad numbers for the 2017/18 season on Tuesday afternoon, Celtic supporters may have been watching on with interest.
And they may have been disappointed to discover that Charly Musonda has been handed the number 17 shirt at Stamford Bridge, perhaps the clearest sign yet that Antonio Conte wants to keep the fleet-footed starlet at the Premier League champions.
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A supremely gifted attacking midfielder, Musonda is one of the most exciting talents in English football and offered a tantalising glimpse of his potential with a wondrous loan spell at Real Betis in 2015/16.
And, in a potential homage to his talents, Chelsea have handed the 20-year-old the shirt number once worn by fellow Belgian maverick Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.
Consequently, this may suggest that Musonda, who has been included on the club’s pre-season tour, will be finally handed a long-awaited opportunity in Chelsea’s first-team. The Daily Record report that Musonda has been training with the senior squad and now appears likely to stay.
This comes just a few days after Musonda’s brother, Lamisha, took to Instagram to pour cold water on rumours the winger could sign for Celtic; ‘Celtic’s interest is flattering but Charly is a Chelsea player and is focused on Chelsea’ (Daily Record).
As a result, Celtic’s desire to land an eye-catching transfer coup looks to be over. Brendan Rodgers is still on the lookout for a replacement for Patrick Roberts, who returned to Manchester City following the expiry of his 18 month loan deal.
But Celtic Park may not be the platform for Musonda to show off his talent next season.
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