Celtic today confirmed the signing of Manchester United defender Tyler Blackett on a season long loan – is he the man to replace Virgil van Dijk? Or is he just another option to cover for left back Emilio Izaguirre?
Blackett has played at both left back and centre back over the last year and Ronny Deila has suggested the player’s versatility will be crucial this season but surely Charlie Mulgrew offers versatility over those two positions – what Celtic need is quality players who can instantly strengthen a defence that has looked frighteningly fragile at times this season.
Less than a year ago Blackett was being touted for a call up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad, while earlier this year United handed the 20-year-old a new £20,000-a-week contract – both are indications he does have to quality but where should Celtic utilise that talent?
Welcome to Celtic Park #NewBhoy Tyler! (NM) pic.twitter.com/4tV7rlWfPQ
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) August 29, 2015
Two things need to be considered here – whether Celtic are more in need of a central defender or a left back and whether Blackett himself will be more effective in the heart of defence or at left back.
At left back Emilio Izaguirre has his critics for his sloppiness defensively and it would appear Hoops boss Ronny Deila is amongst those critics, however, it is at centre half that Celtic are crying out for a new leader.
The need for a new central defender is heightened by Virgil van Dijk’s imminent departure but the Dutchman’s Parkhead exit is far from the only reason. Dedryck Boyata is yet to convince the Celtic faithful that he can be fully trusted in the heart of defence while van Dijk himself has yet to prove he can cut it at the top level after a number of questionable displays in Europe, including the six goals conceded against Legia Warsaw, a sending off against Inter Milan and the three goals conceded from set pieces against Malmo.
While Blackett spent his last season in Manchester United’s reserve string playing on the left of defence, he had spent the rest of his career playing at centre half and when Louis Van Gaal promoted the Mancunian into the United first team, he preferred to use him in a central defensive role – his height and powerful physique suggest he was born to play that position.
Celtic are crying out for a reliable centre back, Manchester United boss Van Gaal sees Blackett as a centre back, Blackett has impressed in the English Premier League as a centre back.
Surely Deila will try to get the most out of Blackett by playing him at centre back rather than switching his position and trying to make the most of the utility status that the Norwegian alluded to after completing the signing.
