2021 Celtic target Thomas Henry has suffered disaster with Venezia this season after suffering relegation from Serie A.
Henry was reportedly Ange Postecoglou’s big replacement for Ange Postecoglou after coming off a 21-goal campaign with OH Leuven [Transfermarkt]. However, Venezia managed to snap him up, with technical director Paolo Poggi stating that the player rejected advances from Parkhead for his services [Tuttomercatoweb].
It was clear that Henry believed a move to one of Europe’s top leagues was the best decision for his career. At 27 years of age, you could understand why he didn’t want to wait around any further.
But his spell in Italy has taken a disastrous turn. On a personal note, Henry will be happy after netting 12 goals this season with his final game of the campaign to come tonight against Cagliari. But it hasn’t been enough to halt them from relegation as they sit rooted at the bottom of Serie A.
Henry has certainly suffered some low moments himself too. Former boss Paulo Zanetti was left infuriated with the player after a sending off back in February as he was seen screaming and shoving his player off the pitch [Italian Football News].
Celtic, meanwhile, signed Giorgos Giakoumakis instead with the Greek international finishing as the joint top scorer in the Premiership.
A lesson to be learned as Celtic rejection surely now frustrating Thomas Henry
Again, this is another example of the grass not always being greener in Europe’s top leagues. You can understand exactly why Henry felt he needed to make the move, but nothing highlights how it can turn sour like his campaign with Venezia.
Granted, given the season he’s had he’ll likely bag a move to another club in one of the big divisions. But he won’t be heading for superstardom. He won’t be heading for a club whose ambition it is to win things on an annual basis. Most likely, he’ll find himself in a similar battle next year.
Meanwhile, look at the rewards that were on offer if he decided to make a move to Celtic Park. Henry could’ve been a title-winner, a potential top scorer, and a potential UEFA Champions League striker. You do feel at times that players do underestimate the package that’s on offer in Glasgow.
It remains to be seen whether Henry is up for sale this summer. Venezia of course have him on a long-term contract. If they refuse to sell of course, he’ll be stuck in Serie B when he could’ve been playing at Europe’s top table with one of the biggest clubs across the continent.
It’s a reminder of just how big Celtic are and just how premature it can be to take the first move to a top league. Not every move to a Serie A, Bundesliga, or EPL club is the right one.
Henry looks to have found that out this term.
In other news, The 2 Celtic youngsters Ange wants to see an impact from in pre-season
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