Michael Reeves
Bersant Celina was one of the key signings made by Graham Potter in his time at Swansea City and the talent of the midfielder was there for all to see.
Few who were there will ever forget his goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup which was simply a thing of beauty and a goal that would have had much more column inches had the name on the back of the shirt (or the badge on the front) been any different. It was a goal that nicely summed up some of the football we were capable of playing and should have been the catalyst for a huge FA Cup shock and a semi final place for the Swans.
It wasn’t to be though (we all know the reasons why) and Celina never really seemed to reach the heights for the Swans again. He scored ten goals in his two seasons at the club but only two in his second season. His last goal coming against Birmingham in August. His return from his last 32 games was 0 goals, he scored 8 in his first 42. A talent that we just could not get the best out of?
It was reported yesterday that Celina was at Stoke’s training ground after the Telegraph reported earlier in the day that he would sign for the Potters on loan.
His loan spell with Turkish side Kasimpasa has been cut short and he will spend the second half of the season at Stoke.
Since leaving the Swans, Celina is closing in on 100 appearances which include the loan spell at Kasimpasa as well as one back at Ipswich Town but it’s a career that has faltered from the seeming heights of that night against his former club.
The Swans paid a reported £3m for Celina as their big signing of the summer following relegation and it was widely hoped that his excellent form at Ipswich could be carried o in SA1 but, despite the obvious signs of talent it never really happened.
The Swans could get the chance to face Celina when Stoke visit the Swansea.com Stadium on 21st Feb – we all know what that means don’t we!
