It was only last year that Kundai Benyu looked set to become the next breakout star at Parkhead. A year on, however, and that couldn’t be any further from the truth.
Benyu arrived at Celtic last summer, hot off the heels of an impressive loan spell at Aldershot Town in the lower leagues of English football. The Zimbabwean was well thought of at Ipswich Town, his parent club, but he chance to play for Celtic persuaded Benyu to move north.
Last summer, Brendan Rodgers spoke highly of the “technically gifted” midfielder. Fans were excited by his cameo appearances and performances in pre-season. However, he is now out the picture at Parkhead, and hasn’t made a single appearance this season. He didn’t even make the Europa League squad.
Benyu had a terrible loan spell at Oldham last year, which seems to have pushed him further out of Rodgers’ plans. The Zimbabwean has gone under the radar and nobody is really sure what is going on with the former Ipswich man.
Can Benyu revive his Celtic career?
The attacking midfielder won’t add to his tally of four appearances for Celtic this season. He doesn’t add anything to this side just now. Even players like Scott Allan are a more reliable option in midfield than the youngster is.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
Benyu is only 20-years-old, and this will give him more time to improve. Rodgers has a way of developing players over time. Despite the magic the Celtic boss has worked with James Forrest and Ryan Christie, even he doesn’t seem capable of turning Benyu’s career around.
He has featured for Celtic’s reserve squad this season, but even in that side he is struggling. He got sent off in a reserve cup match against Aberdeen in October for a silly kick out at Connor McLennan. This shows Benyu clearly doesn’t have the discipline to play for Celtic’s first team. If he can’t do it in reserve fixtures, how can he perform in front of 60,000 at Parkhead?
Benyu’s only hope is to take inspiration from Christie. The former Aberdeen man was written off by many at Parkhead, but has managed to turn his career around. The Zimbabwean now has to do the same. He is only young, and if he works hard enough, he could one day be in the same situation as Christie.
At this moment in time, however, this looks very unlikely. Benyu is already beginning to look like a failed youth project.