Celtic pulled off a coup on Monday by securing the services of Chelsea’s highly-rated attacking midfielder Charly Musonda.The 21-year-old, who impressed on loan at Real Betis last season and made seven appearances for Chelsea’s first team this term, has signed an 18-month loan deal with the Scottish giants.Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers had previously attempted to bring Musonda to Glasgow last summer but Chelsea rejected the proposition. This time, however, they have allowed the youngster to complete his temporary move to the Scottish Premier League outfit.“Charly had 24 clubs interested in taking him and some really prestigious clubs at that,” Rodgers was quoted as saying by the Scottish Sun after sealing the deal. “We had permission from Chelsea last season for him to come here and speak to us and he got a feel for it.“The staff at Chelsea know how I work, but it is a great coup for Celtic and Scottish football that a young kid who was coming off the bench for Chelsea in the Premier League is up here a couple of weeks later. It is a big signing for us because Charly is quality.”
Musonda is a serious talent
Musonda, who has represented the Belgium Under-21 side on 12 occasions, appears to possess all the tools required to become an elite-level attacking midfielder.
He’s lightning quick, skilful, intelligent and can play a pass. He will also be keen to demonstrate his eye for goal at Celtic Park.
Musonda has been handed a brilliant shirt number
Musonda could make his Celtic debut against Hearts this evening and he will be wearing a rather unusual number on the back of his shirt: 67.
At most football clubs, players who wear the No. 67 shirt are often nowhere close to becoming a first-team regular.
But it’s a different story at Celtic.
Why? Because 1967 is, of course, the year the Lisbon Lions won the European Cup, recording a famous 2-1 victory over Inter Milan thanks to goals from Tommy Gemmell and Stevie Chalmers.
Musonda delighted with his new shirt number
The Scottish Sun understand that Musonda has been handed the No. 67 shirt as a tribute to the Lisbon Lions - while the player is understandably delighted.
“I was well aware that 67 is a special number here and this is why I took this number and now it’s up to me to carry on the legend on the pitch and to enjoy it — hopefully I give the fans what they are looking for,” Musonda said.
“It’s simple for me — Celtic is a massive club.
“It’s a club with many fans, an unbelievable passion, and the culture is more than a club.
“Those were the most important things, and I wanted to go somewhere where I would enjoy my football, and I know the manager as well. I am very happy to be here."
“It’s a massive club and I am really looking forward to it. I was close to coming last summer but it didn’t happen," he added. “I spoke again with the manager a couple of weeks ago and I said I had a feeling that this is where I want to come and play my football.
“I am very lucky to be here and I am very happy to be here. I have heard so many good things about the stadium and the fans, so it’s going to be unreal to play at Celtic Park.
“I am really excited. This is a massive club, with 60,000 fans at the games and you don’t get that everywhere.”
Watch out for this kid over the next 18 months. The boy’s a bit special.