‘Like David Silva’: Coach compares reported Celtic summer target to Prem legend

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Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has compared Celtic target Takefusa Kubo to Premier League legend David Silva while speaking to El Periodico – despite leaving him on the sidelines.

As Moi Elyounoussi will tell you, no amount of talent can guarantee you a place in Neil Lennon’s starting XI either.

So it would be too simplistic to suggest Kubo would easily light up the Scottish Premiership with his velveteen footwork and lovely left foot if he was donning the green and white of Celtic rather than the yellow of Villarreal.

But with Villarreal boss Emery handing the Real Madrid wonderkid just 54 minutes of La Liga action so far in 2020/21 – an average of ten minutes per game – many at the Bernabau are already concerned Kubo could sink with the Submarines.

Emery has come under fire from all sides after just two wins in five games since taking over, and is already defending his decision to leave the Asian sensation gathering dust on the sidelines.

“In Japan, he is a star in the making. But here he has to let himself be guided and work on the team, and then himself,” Emery said, suggesting a player he likens to a Manchester City legend has a lot to learn.

“He looks a lot like David Silva.

“The conversation I had with him was that he came to fight on the right wing, but he’s still lacking.

“His work rate is excellent and that will lead him to being very good. Then it is already taking that competitive level we demand. He is a mature boy who has to follow his steps. If they don’t help you from the outside, we will do it from the inside.”

This sounds like a classic case of a manager trying to ease the crushing weight of expectation on a 19-year-old who has been labelled Japan’s answer to Lionel Messi.

Either way, you have to question the wisdom of Real Madrid loaning out one of their most talented prospects to a club that already has two exceptionally gifted left-footed right-wingers.

Samu Chukwueze and Gerard Moreno, arguably La Liga’s most impressive Spaniard, are both ahead of Kubo in Villarreal’s pecking order.

AS reported earlier in the year that Celtic were one of many clubs keen to take Kubo on loan after he dazzled at Real Mallorca.

And while Emery’s explanation is fairly sound, a player labelled an “immense talent” by Andres Iniesta might have expected more than a five-minute cameo against Eibar.