As Celtic prepare for another high-pressure weekend in the title race, Brendan Rodgers has a lot to plan for between now and the end of the season.
Dundee awaits the Scottish champions and if results go our way this weekend, there is a potential that Celtic could be six points clear in the Scottish Premiership come Sunday night.
But despite that, it seems that Rodgers‘ planning for next season is now underway as the Hoops gaffer looks for players to strengthen the Celtic first-team.
And it seems that one player that Celtic are reported to have interest in wants to come to Paradise this summer.
Charles Pickel would snub Leeds United for Celtic
Charles Pickel is a defensive midfielder who plays in Italy’s second tier with Cremonese. The twelve-capped Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder is wanted by a host of clubs in the English Championship but it is understood that his preferred destination would be Paradise.
A report from Football Scotland states, “There is serious interest in the player’s services from clubs in the English Championship, including Leeds and Preston.
“Football Scotland understands Celtic would be Pickel’s preferred destination but it remains to be seen if they will firm up any interest for a summer swoop.”
Is Charles Pickel good enough for Celtic?
Pickel joined Cremonese in 2022 from Portuguese side, Famalicao. He has made 63 appearances for the Italian club scoring six goals and creating two assists.
With two major honours to his name, Pickel is a two-time Swiss champion after winning the league with FC Basel in 2016 and 2017.
Pickel’s versatility would be of interest to Celtic as the 26-year-old has played right-back, centre-back and in the wings.
Swiss-born, Pickel has 21 international caps for Switzerland from u15 to u20 but chose to represent the DR of Congo after his duel nationality helped him win the first of his 12 senior caps with a debut assist against Sudan in the 2023 African Cup of Nations. [Transfermarkt]
Relegated from Serie A last season, Pickel has helped Cremonese into fourth in the league just seven points off the automatic promotion place.
According to Fotmob, Pickel is one of the best passers in the Serie B with an accuracy of 85.7% and long ball success of 60%.
However, defensively, Pickel is not exactly setting the heather on fire. Winning just 60% of his tackles, 52.5% of his duels, 73 ball recoveries and just 16 interceptions, the defensive midfielder ranks well below his peers in the same league.
So whilst Pickel fits in with Celtic’s profile in terms of age and experience, is he any better than what we already have at the club and does he offer the quality that Brendan Rodgers has been looking for?
