That rather ill-fated loan spell at Real Valladolid in 2020/21 is unlikely to be remembered with all too much fondness by Celtic winger Filipe Jota.
The prancing, playmaking Portuguese started just seven La Liga games as Valladolid were relegated from the Spanish top-flight. He certainly wasn’t the mercurial match-winner he would become later down the line in Celtic’s green-and-white hoops either.
Since leaving the Estadio Jose Zorrilla for Parkhead, Jota has come on leaps and bounds; Ange Postecoglou’s expert man-management and free-flowing blueprint polishing this roughest of rough diamonds. Turning Jota into a gleaming, glittering gem of a footballer.
Jota’s rapid rise to prominence at Celtic is unlikely to do the Scottish Premiership champions any harm, either, as Postecoglou looks to lure one of the 23-year-old’s former Real Valladolid team-mates to Glasgow.
Celtic face Barcelona and Real Madrid battle for Ivan Fresneda
According to Radio Marca Valladolid, via El Desmarque, Celtic are targeting Ivan Fresneda, one of the breakthrough stars of the current La Liga season. Though they are not alone; the queue for Fresneda’s signature longer than that for the ice cream van on a scorching July afternoon.
Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Wolves, Everton, Rennes. Even Barcelona and Real Madrid (AS). The list of clubs taking an interest in the Spanish teenager reads like a who’s who of European powerhouses. While also highlighting the sheer size of the task facing Celtic. Fortunately, the Hoops may have a Jota-shaped ace up their sleeve.
Fresneda will know Jota, after all, from their time together at Valladolid. And, if he’s been keeping track of his old team-mate over the last 18 months or, he’ll have been impressed by the way Celtic have handled Jota’s development and honed his potential.
Ange Postecoglou’s personal touch
Fresneda, if he was to join a Barcelona, a Juventus or a Real Madrid, would risk becoming lost in the system. Just one of a hatful of similarly talented youngsters.
Celtic, however, provide offer that personal touch. Not to mention regular first-team football. Fresneda, who has played six La Liga games this season, would likely fight for a starting spot under Postecoglou straight away, especially with fellow right-back Josip Juranovic expected to leave after Croatia’s run to the quarter finals of the Qatar World Cup.
“The philosophy of Ange’s is something I was looking for for a long time,” Jota explained; turning his Benfica loan into a permanent transfer.
“I’ve grown up with these ideas of the game. And to find a coach like Ange, at this stage of my career, is really important for me. I love the way we play; the intensity, the creativity, everything!
“The way we play, it’s just tremendous. (Celtic is) the right place to be to develop. I’m really happy to join.”
As Fresneda weighs up his next move, with clubs in all corners of the continent fluttering their eyelashes, Jota’s glowing assessment of life at Parkhead might just push another exciting Iberian talent in the direction of Celtic.
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