Brendan Rodgers

[red g]

Brendan Rodgers told Moussa Dembele to ring Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling and ask them for feedback on the Northen Irishman before the striker joined Celtic last summer.

And the bit of name-dropping from the former Liverpool boss did the trick as Dembele arrived from Fulham with several of Europe’s big guns sniffing around the 20-year-old.

Dembele signed a four-year contract and arrived for a bargain £500,000 and just over six months on the French forward has scored 27 goals in 41 appearances to attract even more interest.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are believed to have joined the hunt for the player, who has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea and is now valued in the £20million-plus bracket.

And Dembele’s agent Mamadi Fofana told the Daily Record just how big a role Rodgers played in the player’s arrival at Parkhead.

He said: “Brendan was clear. He explained that Celtic could not pay what some of the other clubs in Europe could pay.

“He even knew what those other offers were. Brendan knew what was going on.

“But what he promised Moussa was that he’d have fun, he’d get his chances to play and he’d be at a top club with everything put in place for him to become a better player, so long as you are willing to work.

“He said, ‘If you don’t believe me, take my phone, call Luis Suarez and ask him what he thinks about me, call Raheem Sterling. I made those two young boys what they are today

“I’ve developed many players and you can be one of those, but it’s up to you. You only get a chance once in a lifetime to work with Brendan Rodgers, You will get money in your life, but right now, you are young enough to work and learn and then the big money will follow.

“That was roughly the speech and the fact it was coming from a world-class manager was a turning point for Moussa. He was convinced that Brendan Rodgers was a lovely man.

“Although things had to be sorted financially, Brendan wanted Moussa to be his first signing and he was.

“The rest of the story is obvious to everyone.”

http://www.teamtalk.com/news/name-dropping-rodgers-played-key-role-in-dembele-transfer

[Cormack74]

The Bodge.

**** me those were dark days.

[Roboklopp]

Very Bodge that comment.

[red g]

What does "be for us" even mean.

I presumed it meant he was a good defender so no good to Rodgers

[Jas]

Trying to rewrite history me thinks!!

[Cormack74]

What does "be for us" even mean.

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/LFCroundup/status/831068418048720897"]https://twitter.com/LFCroundup/status/831068418048720897[/ame]

"I was told" - passing the blame Brendan....pity he was so decisive when we spent £20m on Dejan.....

[Buzzo]

[Daniel 7]

Aberdeen have won 6 out of the last 7 following a decidedly worrying mid season wobble. Unbelievable the amount of supporters who want rid of the manager after a run of bad results.

[Buzzo]

I think he must be referring to the fact the Jambos are on the march again

[Charly]

Say what?

[famasfilms1]

Scottish football....

[Doc_Piptorious]

That 5th goal! *drools*

Thought Dembele was just an effective yard dog but not sure anymore, might be more than that! And I dont give a **** about the standard, played 24, won 23 drawn 1 is brilliant.

Dembele is a lot more than that. Has an awful lot in his locker already and he is still only 20.


He is raw but he plays a lot like how Aubameyang did when he had his break out season in France and is a year younger than Aubameyang was then.


Was a smart move by Rodgers to get him in at Celtic, because some bigger club is going to have to spend a fortune to get him now. Smart move by the player (or by his advisors) to go and play under Rodgers at Celtic too, as he has benefited so much already from the playing time and responsibility that Rodgers has given him.

[Chris]

That 5th goal! *drools*

Thought Dembele was just an effective yard dog but not sure anymore, might be more than that! And I dont give a **** about the standard, played 24, won 23 drawn 1 is brilliant.

[labourRed]

So much love.