Jordon Ibe’s career has been a strange tale. From becoming Wycombe’s youngest ever player to appear in the Football League, it’s been a story of success followed by immediate failure.
Scoring for the Buckinghamshire based outfit aged 15, he earned a move to Liverpool. Gleefully lapping up comparisons to a certain Raheem Sterling, he then moved to Bournemouth where he enjoyed relative success before playing just four times this season.
Most recently, though, the 24-year-old has been handed a 16-month driving ban and a £7,500 fine after driving his Bentley into a coffee shop.
Ibe has had a troubled season but there’s no reason he can’t overcome his difficulties.
A change of scenery could be exactly what he needs and Celtic may be the side to hand him that opportunity. The Bhoys have been tracking him since last year but are still keeping tabs on the winger after it was revealed by Football Insider that he’d walk out of Bournemouth when his contract expires in the summer.
Currently on £40k a week, there are clear sticking points. That’s a huge sum of money for a clearly troubled individual. A similar pay packet north of the border would also be a lot for someone who hasn’t contributed to a goal all term.
However, at his age, there is still a bright future in the game, particularly if he continues to thrive in one area.
Currently on loan at Celtic from Southampton is Mohamed Elyounoussi. The Norwegian had an unhappy time after signing for the Saints for £16m last term, failing to contribuete to a single goal in 16 Premier League appearances.
In Scotland he’s fared considerably better, scoring seven times and registering six assists. That being said, he’s also spent time out with injury. A £10m permanent deal could be on the cards in the summer but as we’ve already stated on FFC, Celtic would be wise to swerve that.
With Ibe available in a few months time on a free transfer, there’s an area of the game he’s better in compared to Elyounoussi – dribbling.
As can be seen in the graphic above, the former Liverpool man is particularly adept with the ball at his feet. Per stats available to WhoScored, he musters 0.4 dribbles more per game when comparing their respective careers to date.
Most pivotally, though, is that the Cherries wide man loses the ball on fewer occasions and is actually better in tight scenarios.
Ibe’s best season in terms of dribbling is also ahead of Elyounoussi. That came when he was on loan at Derby but he’s also thrived under Brendan Rodgers, being described as a player with “wonderful temperament” by the former Celtic boss when he was at Liverpool in 2015.
A cameo against Everton under Rodgers’ stewardship also earned acclaim from Steven Gerrard: “It was a sensational performance from him and he’s got a big future.”
The former England youth international has since stuttered but Glasgow could be where he finds a new home for himself.
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There are clear negatives to the deal, but if it stops them from spending £10m on another wide player, it could be smart. Certainly, in terms of what Ibe would offer with the ball at his feet, it might just be worth bringing him in.
In other Hoops news, Nick Hammond’s £7m decision has been a MASTERSTROKE…