Celtic FC Opinion: Why the Hoops must take a punt on Carl Jenkinson?

According to a report from The Sun, Scottish champions Celtic are interested in Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson.

Jenkinson, 27, has become something of a forgotten man at the Emirates Stadium. He has played just four Premier League games for Arsenal in the last two seasons. The right-back, however, did impress in a two-year loan spell at West Ham between 2014 and 2016.

The 27-year-old defender doesn’t appear to be in Unai Emery’s plans and could leave the club this summer in a bid to play more first-team football. That being said, Celtic must definitely stump up the cash and sign Jenkinson to solve their defensive woes ahead of the new campaign.

Neil Lennon did a great job after replacing Brendan Rodgers midway through 2018/19, guiding the Hoops to the treble ‘Treble’. For his success as an interim manager, he was handed the permanent reins by the club last month. The Northern Irish manager will likely want to move away from Rodgers’ style of play and he’ll need financial backing to do that.

Loan signings Jeremy Toljan, Oliver Burke and Timothy Weah have returned to their parent clubs, which frees up space, but Celtic will need hard cash if they are to achieve success under Lennon. The reshaping of the squad must happen from the defence, with solving the right-back conundrum a priority.

Experienced Mikael Lustig is yet to sign a new deal at the Parkhead and is now a free agent, with a return to Sweden apparently on the cards. Toljan has returned back to Borussia Dortmund after his loan expired, while Cristian Gamboa is expected to leave the club on a free transfer this summer.

That clearly depicts the Glasgow club’s need for a new right-back ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

Jenkinson could be a smart signing for the Hoops. Truth to be told, his career has gone backwards for a number of years now due to recurring injury problems and lack of form.

The right-back has been very unfortunate with injuries but at 27, Jenkinson is entering the prime years of his career where he needs to start playing regularly.

To Read More Celtic FC News, Click Here:- Latest Celtic FC News

That very well could happen at Celtic, where the Arsenal defender will get a new environment and a different atmosphere to reignite his career. Jenkinson has solid Premier League as well as Championship experience which will be invaluable for Lennon’s troops.

He needs a manager that can trust his ability and provide him regular game time and Lennon could just be that man.

Verdict

If Lennon can help Jenkinson keep himself fit and running, the 27-year-old could turn out to be a shrewd signing for Celtic and also a perfect replacement for Lustig.