Celtic secured the signing of Manchester City’s starlet Olivier Ntcham for £4.5million during the summer transfer, and the French midfielder has established himself in manager Brendan Rodgers’ first team plans.
The 21-year-old has been a solid addition to Celtic, playing 10 games across all competitions with 2 goals to boot, and his close friend and club striker Moussa Dembele is the least surprised.
The French forward claims he has always known of Ntcham’s huge potential and suggests the midfielder can prove to be a great bargain in the end.
Dembele told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup clash against Dundee: “I think you have all seen what he is capable of already.
“When I knew that he was coming here I thought he would be a great signing and I believe you can see that. He will score goals, he is a threat, but he can pass the ball and knows how to keep possession.
“Olivier is always very comfortable when has the ball. He doesn’t get rushed. I know that he has settled very well.
“The way we play here was always going to suit him and we have been able to see that. He looks very comfortable and I am sure that he will be a big player for us this season.
“It is good for me because we are good friends, but I think it is also good for the club to have a player like that here because he is such a big talent.”
Ntcham spent 5 seasons with Manchester City upon arriving their youth academy from Le Havre in 2012, but wasn’t able to break into the senior team.
He spent the last 2 seasons with Serie A side Genoa, playing a total of 37 league games and scoring thrice.
The powerful midfielder earned a nomination in last year’s Golden Boy Awards due to his performances in Italy, and it’s widely believed he could go on to become a global star should he fulfill his potential at Parkhead.
