An Odsonne Edouard return is unlikely but it does have its merits

Odsonne Edouard has yet again been linked with a move back to Celtic after being deemed surplus to requirements at Crystal Palace and officially put on the transfer list by the FA Cup holders. covered this latest transfer link on The Celtic Star last night.

Odsonne Edouard is now surplus to requirements at Crystal Palace 

The Frenchman known as ‘French Eddie’ to the Celtic supporters hasn’t had the best of times since moving to Selhurst park in 2021 for a reported fee of £14.5 million despite a blistering start to his career with the Eagles in the English top flight.

Edouard, who had an unsuccessful loan spell at Relegated Leicester City last season, according to some outlets is now a player of interest for his former boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Irishman persuaded the Celtic board to splash a then club record £9 million for Odsonne Edouard  in 2018 following a successful loan spell from French Champions PSG.

Odsonne Edouard scored 89 goals in 196 appearances for Celtic 

Eddie would became a hero in the eyes of the supporters during his three years at the club scoring a total of 89 goals in 196 appearances winning eight major honours in the process and getting a brilliant song courtesy of The Green Brigade via The Stone Roses, which always sounded wonderful in Paradise.

The prolific French youth international was a big game player for the club. Cup finals, derbies, Europe, he more than proved his credentials, and it would be no surprise if Brendan sounded him out about a return. His most memorable Celtic goal was probably at Ibrox in March 2018 when Celtic were down to ten men and the score was tied at 2-2.

Odsonne Edouard’s goal on Beautiful Sunday 

On he came from the bench, Celtic went with two up top so he was playing alongside fellow Frenchman Moussa Dembele and the two combined brilliantly with Eddie scoring a wonderful winner to give us a Beautiful Sunday.

His second goal at Hampden to turn around the Scottish Cup Final in 2019 against Hearts is also notable.

Would I welcome Odsonne Edouard back? Yes, absolutely.  But it’s most likely nothing more than a case of lazy journalism. Some supporters aren’t keen on seeing Eddie return, but you’d be kidding yourself if you didn’t think he’d improve our squad. He’s a class act after all, and with a manager like Brendan Rodgers who knows him well, he may just re-discover his mojo back at Celtic.

The Jeffrey Schlupp deal

Celtic took Jeffrey Schlupp on loan from Crystal Palace in January to see out his contract and in doing so paid a percentage (probably 50%) of his £60k per week Premier League salary.  A similar situation might be possible this summer if there are a shortage of other alternatives for the Frenchman who will not feature of Palace next season.

If Brendan Rodgers does indeed fancy a return for Odsonne Edouard I for one will be all in favour of it happening. What about you?