Has there been a more non-existent Celtic player over the course of the last two years than Kundai Benyu?
Perhaps only Marvin Compper can really rival the English-born Zimbabwean. But Benyu has been here for six months longer than the ill-fated German.
To sum up season two for Benyu at Celtic isn’t difficult. It was absolutely garbage. Not in terms of what he’s shown on the pitch, because supporters haven’t seen him whatsoever this season. But clearly, in terms of what he’s offering in training, Benyu is nowhere near the standard required.
Benyu has now made four appearances for Celtic. But, unsurprisingly, absolutely none of them came this season. He didn’t even make a single match-day squad either. Any new signing that arrives in Benyu’s midfield spot would instantly go ahead of him. That shows how absent and distant the midfielder has been from Celtic’s first-team plans.
The only notable aspect of Benyu’s season is his current loan move to Helsingborg. Incredibly, he’s had the great fortune to have now joined up with Henrik Larsson, who can hopefully get a tune out of him.
He’s out-of-favour in Sweden too
But to say his year-long loan move to Sweden has been a success so far would be a flat-out lie. As it stands, Benyu has been out of the Helsingborg squad for the last six matches – spanning back a month and a half.
He’s only managed five appearances in Sweden since his move back in February. He has, thankfully, managed an assist, but that’s all he’s offered as he continues to be an afterthought.
The arrival of Larsson will hopefully provide Benyu with some inspiration. There have been no reports of any injury concerns for the midfielder either, so it looks as though he’s just been dropped due to poor performances.
When Benyu arrived at Parkhead back in 2017, he signed a four-year contract. That means there are only two years remaining on his current contract. By the time he arrives back from Sweden, he’ll just about have gobbled up a third year.
To sum up, he’s running out of time to make an impact at Parkhead if he hasn’t run out already.
He’s as far from the first-team picture at Parkhead as is possible. Considering he’s also failing to inspire in Sweden, it’s been yet another poor, poor year for Benyu.
Will next season be any different for him? It seems highly doubtful to say the least.
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