Central midfield is perhaps the strongest area of Brendan Rodgers’ current Celtic team, and if transfer reports are to be believed, it could be getting stronger.
Since arriving from Nordsjaelland this summer, Benjamin Nygren has earned praise from Brendan Rodgers for adding more technical ability and creativity to the area.
He joined Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor in the midfield in Sunday’s Premiership opener, leaving the £11 million Arne Engels among the substitutes.
Chris Sutton suggested that Luke McCowan get more game time after he scored the winner off the bench in the 1-0 win, having played a part in 36 of 38 possible league matches last campaign.
In a summer when Celtic clearly need improvement in certain areas, this does not feel as much the case in midfield.
Rodgers made his frustrations with transfer activity clear before the season began, saying it would be a key factor in him signing any new contract.
For one Celtic midfielder, some fans are wondering where the minutes will be this season, leading to debate around whether he should be played more or moved on.
Celtic future unclear for ‘proper player’ Paulo Bernardo
Since his loan move was made permanent for around £4.5 million last summer, Paulo Bernardo has never felt like a guaranteed starter.
Bernardo started in 15 league matches last season, fewer than McCowan. However, he was involved in eight Champions League fixtures, where his physicality and work ethic are more valued.
With the addition of Nygren, it is difficult to see the Portugal youth international’s playing time increasing. On X, the Celtic supporters’ mixed views are evident.
Some fans suggested that the 23-year-old should leave, and that he isn’t good enough. One said: “Is the clock ticking for Paulo Bernardo at Celtic? To me, it’s obvious the manager doesn’t particularly rate him and out of all the midfielders is probably at the bottom of the pecking order.”
Another agreed: “Yeah, said it all summer……Bernardo out for me and a big unit for number 6 in.”
One more said, “I find him pretty frustrating to watch. He’s tall, strong and good on the ball, but I don’t really think he does enough. He just doesn’t do anything really impressive for me.”
However, not all fans were negative, with some favouring him over Engels and McCowan and saying he should be playing more.
One fan said: “That’s a mistake. I’d give him a real run in the team. There’s a proper player there.”
A fan also replied: “He’s a genuinely better player than McCowan and Engels, which is what makes it so weird to me.”
Another agreed: “An absolute scandal if he goes and Engels stays IMO.”
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Bernardo, with just a few weeks of the transfer window remaining.
What is Celtic’s first-choice midfield?
Arne Engels’ form steadily improved throughout last season, culminating in him winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award at the end of the season.
The Belgian international, who was signed for a club record fee, divided opinion among supporters, with sections of the Parkhead faithful comparing him unfavourably to Bernardo and the man he replaced, Matt O’Riley.
The arrival of Nygren has made things even more complicated. Many were initially unsure of which position he would play, but with the Swede impressing in the midfield three during pre-season, the area now seems stacked with quality.
Having played an important part for his country at this summer’s Under-21 European Championships, Bernardo will now be keen to kick on. But if the first team opportunities are not forthcoming, his future will come into question.
They say it’s a nice problem for any manager to have – but for Brendan Rodgers, the level of midfield quality available could be a burden as well as a blessing.