It appears that Gustaf Lagerbielke was signed by Celtic for a reported fee of around £3 million in August of the previous year. Despite Brendan Rodgers’ confidence in the player’s abilities and potential, Lagerbielke has struggled to make a significant contribution on the pitch. This lack of impact has led to criticisms of his performance, especially considering his hefty price tag and the high expectations associated with his signing.
It seems like Lagerbielke showcased impressive defensive prowess during the 2023 Allsvenskan campaign. Across 16 appearances, he demonstrated consistency in his defensive contributions, making 2.6 tackles and interceptions combined per match, along with 6.7 ball recoveries. Importantly, he avoided committing errors that directly led to shots or goals for the opposition, indicating his reliability in defense.
Furthermore, Lagerbielke displayed his physical dominance by winning 59% of his duels in the 16 games, a commendable feat that underscores his strength and ability to compete effectively. This performance builds upon his previous season, where he won 64% of his battles across 20 league outings for Elfsborg in 2022, showcasing his sustained excellence in physical confrontations.
It appears that Gustaf Lagerbielke, a towering defender signed by Celtic, has faced challenges in getting regular playing time under manager Rodgers during the 2023/24 season. Despite his potential and strong defensive attributes, Lagerbielke has been largely left out of matchday squads, only making six league appearances and starting just four of those. His impressive duel success rates suggest his ability to dominate opposition players, but this hasn’t translated into more opportunities on the field.
| 23/24 Champions League | Gustaf Lagerbielke |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 2 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Ground duel success rate | 50% |
| Penalties committed | 1 |
| Red cards | 1 |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
As you can see in the table above, Lagerbielke also had mixed success in his two appearances against Feyenoord in the group stages of the Champions League.
He gave away a penalty and was sent off on his European debut for the club, and then went on to score the winning goal in his second outing against the Dutch side.
Overall, the Swedish defender has been a waste of a signing so far for Celtic as he has rarely been selected, even as a substitute, when fit to be in the matchday squad, despite earning as much as Matt O’Riley and more than Palma in wages.
It seems that there is frustration among Celtic supporters regarding Gustaf Lagerbielke’s situation, particularly in light of his substantial weekly salary of £14,000. Despite this, Lagerbielke has struggled to secure regular playing time, while other players such as Luis Palma, who earns significantly less at £6,000 per week, have made a more significant impact on the pitch.
Luis Palma, who joined from Aris for a reported fee of £3.5 million, has been productive in the final third, contributing both as a scorer and a creator of goals for Celtic. With six goals in 17 starts in the Premiership and two goals in four starts in the Champions League group stages, Palma has demonstrated his value to the team, particularly in terms of creativity from the left wing.
Given Lagerbielke’s lack of playing time despite his higher salary compared to some of his teammates, there may be discussions about his future at the club, especially if his situation does not improve by the end of the season. The upcoming summer transfer window could see Celtic reassessing their options regarding Lagerbielke and potentially making changes to their squad.
| 23/24 Premiership | Luis Palma |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 23 |
| Starts | 17 |
| Assists | 9 |
| Big chances created | 12 |
| Key passes per game | 2.7 |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
The statistics provided indeed emphasize the significant impact Luis Palma has had on the pitch for Celtic, particularly in terms of his creativity and goal contributions. With 12 ‘big chances’ created and a total of 15 direct goal contributions (six goals and nine assists) in just 17 league starts, Palma has proven to be a valuable asset for the team.
In contrast, Gustaf Lagerbielke’s lack of playing time and contributions, despite his higher salary, underscores the disappointment surrounding his signing. While Palma has consistently featured and made substantial contributions, Lagerbielke has struggled to make an impact on the pitch for Celtic.
These comparisons further highlight the disparity between the two players and raise questions about the value Lagerbielke brings to the team, especially considering his significant salary relative to his playing time and contributions. It’s evident that, based on performance and contribution, Palma has been a much more successful signing for Celtic compared to Lagerbielke.
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