Former Celtic winger Jota looks set to be on the move again after a fairly underwhelming start to life with Rennes. The 25-year-old moved to Ligue 1 in the summer ending an unhappy stay in Saudi Arabia.
According to L’Equipe claim that Rennes are considering a restructure of their squad and that Jota could be set to depart.
Celtic sold Jota to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 for a sum in excess of £25m, however our ‘Superstar from Portugal’ endured a torrid time in Saudi Arabia with little of the love coming his way from the club or that support, a huge contrast to his time in Glasgow.
After being frozen out of the team on a number of occasions by Al Ittihad, Jota signed for Rennes in a cut price deal as he looked to find his mojo. Since leaving Celtic, Jota has made just 34 appearances in a year and a half.
Jota made 83 appearances for Celtic in two seasons, scoring 28 goals and assisting on 26 occasions. Jota was a key figure under Ange, winning five trophies in two years and you have to think that he would’ve continue his upward trajectory under Brendan.
Celtic are on the lookout for wide cover with the news that James Forrest will be out for six weeks. Jota would represent a quality recruitment in an area that Brendan will be keen to strengthen. Luis Palma is rumoured to depart for the MLS in January.
Somehow I don’t see jota as a Rodgers type of player imo?
Jota has spent a long time in the wilderness, and the aforementioned mojo has not been easily rekindled in France.
He’s a clear upgrade on both Palma and Forrest when at “top Jota” operating capacity, and he has the pressing and the movement to work in Rodgers system (of course he does, he did it very well under Ange).
The questions would be..
1. How long would it take for Jota to return to peak form?
2. Would he settle for a diminished role in the team given the established state of our starting wingers?
3. Is it worth the risk bringing him back (even if he wanted it) given those two factors?
So, is it worth the risk?
At the right price – yes. Clubs will sniff out Kuhn by the end of this season. Jamesey is a cameo player for another year, and Palma is half way out the door. If a deal is there to be done, then it would be foolish not to kick the tyres on somebody who could conceivably get coached right back into “Prime Jota” by Brendan Rodgers. Maybe not overnight, but for the run in and for next year? Why not.