Luis Palma’s permanent Celtic exit to Lech Poznan is barely months old yet the Honduran international is already being touted as key to the Polish title winners’ Champions League dreams.
Palma spent a season on loan at the Ekstraklasa club before sealing his €4m move, and high expectations are already being set on the former Celtic winger.
Respected Polish journalist Roman Kolton shares details behind Palma’s Celtic exit, but it is what he said about Poznan’s Champions League aspirations that will raise the Hoops supporters’ eyebrows.
Luis Palma: overrated or underrated?
Luis Palma already seen as a Champions League difference-maker
Kolton has been covering football in the Polish leagues for over 20 years and what he reveals about Palma’s status at Poznan is eye-catching.
Posting on social media, Kolton said, “To win the Champions League, you have to do everything right. There’s no guarantee, but in my view, it boosts the chances.
“The assistant is already a complement to “Kolejorza’s” actions over the past couple of weeks. Artist Palma? 4 million euros, the clause was scary!
“Celtic didn’t want to haggle, and Lech couldn’t wait, bam, paid. Luis to compete with Mrozkiem (and to replace him if there’s a transfer). Fast winger Sayyadmanesh is already here!
“Though it cost, in terms of commission, signing bonus, and contract, 2.5 million euros. Talented defender Yegbe joins for 3 million. Lech has jumped financially, organisationally, strategically to a completely different level than Legia.
“And may it bear fruit in the Champions League, which I wish for Lech Poznan and Polish football.”
Palma is one of several expensive additions Kołton identifies as central to Lech’s bid to reach the Champions League proper.
Why Lech see the Champions League player Celtic didn’t
Palma is a player who divided opinion among Celtic fans during his short time in the green and white Hoops. Clearly talented, many fans believed he didn’t work hard enough for the team as a whole.
However, Palma’s Champions League stats for Celtic were impressive considering he started four out of five fixtures under Brendan Rodgers.
- 5 appearances
- 4 starts
- 268 minutes
- 2 goals
- 1.22 xG
- 5 shots on target from 6 attempts (83%)
Now, we are not trying to rewrite Palma’s time at Celtic. Clearly Rodgers didn’t see enough in him to become a trusted mainstay in his starting XI.
Whether Palma succeeds at Lech is still to be determined. What has already changed is the expectation surrounding him now.
At Celtic he became a squad player. In Poland, he is carrying Champions League expectations from day one.
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