Sutton voices doubts over Jota’s match readiness after just three starts at Rennes

The Celtic Star

·26 January 2025

Sutton voices doubts over Jota’s match readiness after just three starts at Rennes

Chris Sutton has once again aired his concerns about Felipe Jota being up to speed straight from the off when he finally arrived back home for a second spell…

Jota takes part in the Celtic Champions Training Day at Celtic Park on July 18, 2022. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The club are hard at work putting the finishing touches on a deal for the wide-man on a deal worth around £9 million.

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A dramatic return for Jota

The winger will make a dramatic return just 18-months after leaving for a record fee to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, where his mega-money move quickly became a major mistake for his career. The Portuguese superstar was frozen out at the Saudi Pro Legaue club and played very little in the Middle East before an £8 million move to Rennes in France.

Jota of Celtic celebrates at the final whistle as Celtic beat Rangers 2-1 in the Viaplay League Cup Final at Hampden Park on February 26, 2023 (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Unfortunately for the wing wizard, his spell in Ligue 1 turned out much the same as his time in the Arabic nation, when Jorge Sampaoli told him he was surplus to requirements whilst he was boss at the Brittany outfit.

Now he will be desperate to get back playing regularly at a place he is truly loved and whilst Sutton is definitely intrigued by the attacker’s return, he questioned how long it will take him to get up and running after so long in the wilderness.

Whilst previewing the Dundee United game today on Sky Sports Scotland, he said of Jota’s homecoming when asked by Eilidh Barbour: “He’s not a centre-forward and he’s played three starts this season. You want players to come in in January to kick the team on. To kick the club on. Jota, will be up to speed straight away? I have my doubts. I have my doubts.”

😢 "They've gone and sold Kyogo... WHY?" 🤔 Will [Jota] be up to speed straight away? I have my doubts" Chris Sutton, Kris Boyd & Seán Dillon discuss Celtic's transfer activity ⤵️
– Sunday, 26 January 2025

Paul Gillespie

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Sutton voices doubts over Jota’s match readiness after just three starts at Rennes | OneFootball