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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Al-Ittihad have Jota 'question to answer' as ex-Celtic star faces transfer endgame

Former Celtic star Jota faces an uncertain future at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

The winger joined the Tigers two months ago for £25million but is yet to start a league game.

Speculation has swirled that the 24-year-old could be set for an instant transfer away from the club, while other reports have discussed dressing room fallouts involving the forward.

Al Ittihad have a cap on foreign players, with only eight being allowed in their squad.

With Liverpool's Mohammad Salah being the player they are keen to attract before the end of their domestic transfer window, this has called Jota's future into question once again.

The Athletic states that: "Jota was initially signed with a view to switching to Espirito Santo's favoured system with wingers, but has so far played with a narrow diamond.

"Salah and Jota are 'key to that vision' but a lack of headway with Salah has proved troubling. That means Al-Ittihad either find an alternative target for the left-wing position or stick to their current narrow set-up which leaves them with a Jota question to answer."

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has revealed he spoke to Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers about how to get the best out of Odsonne Edouard.

The former Hoops striker has made a flying start to the season, netting four goals in his first five games.

After spending four seasons at Parkhead, he joined the London club in the summer of 2021.

The striker thrived during Rodgers' first spell in charge and Hodgson stated that the Northern Irishman has nothing but good things to say about the forward.

He said: "He was very good throughout. He came here from Celtic where he was so highly-regarded and scored I don’t know how many goals and was a big, big star.

"When we first came back to the club he had not established himself as much as he would have liked.

"He did get that position as a centre-forward when we came in and he has got better and better, knowing how we want to try and play.

"He hadn’t lost the technique, talent, the skill or the things that made him so big at Celtic. I spoke to Brendan Rodgers not so long ago and he was glowing in his praise about him.”

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