Celtic’s PSG loanee Odsonne Edouard is yet to replicate his stunning record at Under-17 level in the senior game.
Odsonne Edouard arrived at Celtic with a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young strikers.
And with good reason. The Paris Saint-Germain loanee, nicknamed ‘The Rocket’ for his powerpacked shots, had plundered 60 goals in the last two seasons at youth level while also top scoring for the club’s Under-17 side at the age of just 15.
But it was Edouard’s sensational performances at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup that earned him a place alongside Europe’s elite youngsters. Picking up a remarkable triple threat of Golden Boy and Golden Boot alongside the World Cup title, Edouard netted eight goals in five games in the tournament – including a hat-trick in the final against Germany.
Though Celtic are discovering the hard way that remarkable form at youth level doesn’t necessarily translate into the senior game. Edouard has made just three Scottish Premiership appearances since moving to The Hoops on loan and, despite an impressive individual goal against Hamilton, has found himself out of favour.
Manager Brendan Rodgers told The Evening Express that Edouard would continue to struggle for game time. And the Scotsman is now reporting that it appears unlikely that Celtic will take up the option to make his loan from PSG permanent.
But perhaps Celtic should have seen this coming. After all, during a spell at Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse last season, Edouard netted just once in 17 games in all competitions – a record far removed from his remarkable form at youth level.
Edouard was a huge disappointment at Toulouse – suggesting that he had a long way to go before he was ready for the top level. And the teenager’s ongoing struggles at Celtic only confirm the theory that perhaps too much was expected of the striker’s performances at Under-17 level.
After all, Edouard would not be the first former youth-team star to struggle to make that all-important step up.
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