Celtic winger Liel Abada’s goals and assists record is amongst the best in Europe for under-21 top-flight players.
Abada has been a sensation for the Hoops this season after arriving in the summer in a £3.5m deal from Maccabi Petah Tikva [Scottish Sun].
So far this season, the Israeli has managed to bank 15 goals in 11 assists after making 50 appearances for the Bhoys [Transfermarkt]. And as it turns out, his stats are higher than other under-21 starlets in Europe’s top leagues:
Vinicius Junior appears to be the most productive with 34 direct goal contributions made up of 17 goals and 17 assists.
However, Abada is ranked higher than some of the top talents in world football. For example, Florian Wirtz has managed 10 goals and 14 assists with Bayer Leverkusen. Manchester City’s Phil Foden, meanwhile, has racked up 11 goals and 9 assists [Transfermarkt].
Other names Liel has managed to topple so far include Sparta Prague’s Adam Hlozek, RB Salzburg’s Karim Adeyemi, and his teammate Noah Okafor.
Liel Abada hitting the right notes in debut season at Celtic Park
These stats in particular reflect incredibly well on Abada. He’s already achieved what his remit will have been in his debut season in Glasgow. He’s impressed supporters, teammates, and his manager. To be even mentioned in the same circles as the likes of Vinicius Jr and Wirtz says a lot about his impact this year.
Yes, we know that many of these other top starlets play in some of Europe’s toughest leagues. It’s a lot more difficult to rack up big totals in the EPL and Bundesliga than it is in the Scottish Premiership. We’re not oblivious to that.
But at the same time, this simply highlights how well Abada has performed in Scotland after only turning 20 earlier this year. A player, remember, who is playing outside of his home nation of Israel for the first time this season. You can’t underestimate the difference in culture, lifestyle, and footballing environment. Yet he’s managed to produce figures such as these in his debut campaign.
Of course, all he’ll be thinking of at the minute is trying to wrap up the Scottish Premiership title. He has an opportunity here to secure a league and cup double in his first season in Scotland. As well as that he’s regularly been involved with the Israel national team and has managed to obtain Europa League experience this season too.
There will always be periods of inconsistency when it comes to players of Abada’s age. He has to be given the time and patience to develop. So long as he’s afforded that, then the Celtic supporters are going to see an even more improved player in the coming years.
Liel is certainly a big talent, and these rankings prove just that.
In other news, Malky Mackay’s failure to give Celtic due credit this season; moaned about referees instead
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