Celtic manager Neil Lennon says that he has cleared the air with Olivier Ntcham after holding discussions with the player this week.
The Daily Record reported that Lennon spoke with the 23-year-old midfielder recently after the player had told French newspaper L’Equipe that he wanted a greater challenge than the Scottish Premiership. Ntcham added that he was disappointed not to have gotten a move to Porto last year and said he would “blossom” at Marseille.
Ntcham’s comments to L’Equipe were initially met with dissatisfaction by Lennon, as reported by Sky Sports News, but he now seems to be back in the manager’s plans for next season.
The Daily Record quoted Lennon as saying: “We have had a nice chat, a private chat, and it’s not an issue now. He is back in the group and training and getting ready for the new season.”
Ntcham made 37 appearances in total for Celtic last season, but only seven of those came after Lennon took the reins following Brendan Rodgers’ departure in February.
He has made 85 appearances in his two seasons in Glasgow so far, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists. That works out at 0.18 goals and 0.08 assists per game.
Ntcham is primarily a central midfielder but has proven to be highly versatile at Celtic, featuring in defensive and attacking midfield, as well as playing on both flanks.
A Soccersouls scout report on the 23-year-old noted how he “stands firm in the midfield and tries to block the passing channels“, as well as having “a sound technique with the ball” and being “a constant threat in the opposition box“.
Last season, Ntcham averaged one tackle, one interception and 0.3 blocks per game. Looking at his use of the ball, he had an average of 0.8 key passes per game and a 77.1% passing success rate.
Midfield partner Scott Brown averages more tackles (2.4) and blocks (0.4) per game, but has a lower interception average of 0.6 per game. He also averages far fewer key passes per game (0.2) but is much more accurate in his passing, with an 89% success rate.
In 107 games over the last two seasons, he has scored just three goals (0.03 per game) and supplied four assists (0.04 per game).
Lennon could be glad that he has seemingly managed to smooth things over with Ntcham, for the midfielder still has plenty to offer to Celtic.
The France underage international carries much more of a scoring and creative threat than Brown, even if the latter is more proficient at breaking up the play. Ntcham has done enough to earn another chance at Celtic, but he will likely need a strong season to truly win back Lennon’s trust.
Celtic fans, are you glad that Ntcham appears to be staying with the club for next season? Comment below with your views!
