---
title: "Celtic: Kristoffer Ajer could play in the Premier League, says Mohamed Elyounoussi"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-kristoffer-ajer-could-play-in-the-premier-league-says-mohamed-elyounoussi/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-10-10T06:05:20Z"
modified: "2019-10-10T06:05:20Z"
---

# Celtic: Kristoffer Ajer could play in the Premier League, says Mohamed Elyounoussi

**Celtic winger Mohamed Elyounoussi has backed his club and international colleague Kristoffer Ajer to succeed in the English Premier League if he made such a move in the future.**

The Norway winger told [TV2](https://www.tv2.no/) \[[via Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/mohamed-elyounoussi-makes-kris-ajer-20542805)\] that he believes his fellow countryman could prosper in “a bigger league”and has tipped him to move on from Celtic to fulfil his ambitions elsewhere.

Elyounoussi said to [TV2](https://www.tv2.no/) \[[via Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/mohamed-elyounoussi-makes-kris-ajer-20542805)\]: “We’ll see how long we keep Kris. He’s been here a couple of years and done extremely well. I expect to see him in a bigger club in a bigger league.

“From what I have watched of him in the past and now on a daily basis and in combat, he is more than good enough for the Premier League.”

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Elyounoussi is speaking from a position of experience, having played [16 Premier League games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mohamed-elyounoussi/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/186644) for his parent club Southampton last season.

Ajer has become a core member of Celtic’s line-up, making [98 appearances since 2016](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/328658) and [starting 18 of the Hoops’ first 20 matches this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/leistungsdaten/spieler/328658).

The 21-year-old has proven to be a decent goal threat from defence, scoring twice and setting up one goal so far in 2019/20, while he has also demonstrated his versatility by playing seven games at right-back along with 11 in his [more familiar centre-back role](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/328658). \[[via TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/leistungsdaten/spieler/328658)\]

Ajer has shown in Celtic’s Europa League games that he can thrive on the big stage – he made three successful tackles and three clearances, as well as having an 87.1% passing success rate, in the draw against Rennes; while he won six aerial duels in the win over CFR Cluj last week, the [joint-most of anyone on the pitch](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1427261/Live/Europe-UEFA-Europa-League-2019-2020-Celtic-CFR-Cluj). \[[via WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/321085/MatchStatistics/Kristoffer-Ajer)\]

However, the Norway defender can sometimes be culpable of slackness in possession – he only had a [64.7% passing success rate](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/321085/MatchStatistics/Kristoffer-Ajer) in the CFR Cluj game, while [his loss of possession culminated in Livingston’s first goal](https://www.67hailhail.com/match/some-celtic-fans-react-to-kristoffer-ajers-display-vs-livingston/) against the Hoops on Sunday, which drew strong criticism from some Celtic fans, as noted by [67hailhail.com](https://www.67hailhail.com/match/some-celtic-fans-react-to-kristoffer-ajers-display-vs-livingston/).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

While Ajer could stand to improve his ball retention, he has proven to be a trusted and adaptable member of Celtic’s defence, and Lennon will likely be reluctant to lose him seeing as he has started 90% of their matches this term.

However, with the likes of [Kieran Tierney](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kieran-tierney/erfolge/spieler/300716) and [Virgil van Dijk](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/virgil-van-dijk/erfolge/spieler/139208) using successful spells at Celtic to earn moves to the Premier League with [Arsenal](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49283667) and [Liverpool](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34115519) respectively, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Ajer does the same, provided he can continue to perform consistently for the Hoops.

\[freshpress-poll id=”251201″\]

***Celtic fans, do you think Ajer will move to a Premier League club in the foreseeable future? How big of a loss would he be if he did leave? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!***