{"id":353860,"date":"2025-08-18T09:39:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T09:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/353860\/"},"modified":"2025-08-18T09:39:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T09:39:15","slug":"position-change-no-problem-as-celtic-eye-balikwisha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/353860\/","title":{"rendered":"Position Change No Problem As Celtic Eye Balikwisha"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michel-Ange Balikwisha is continuing to play in a new position for Royal Antwerp, lining up in a midfield three as a box-to-box midfielder in their 3-5-2 setup.<\/p>\n

He played 81 minutes on Sunday in a 1-1 draw away from home. Despite being seen as a winger who could fill the void left by Jota\u2019s injury, the Belgian has yet to play out wide this season.<\/a><\/p>\n

Instead, he\u2019s been used either centrally as an attacking midfielder or deeper in midfield and has done well.<\/p>\n

Last season was a tough one for Balikwisha due to injury, but this year he\u2019s looked sharp. He\u2019s started all three of Antwerp\u2019s league games so far and seems to be finding his rhythm again. His performance against Leuven showed signs that he\u2019s getting back to his best.<\/p>\n

Rodgers<\/a> has been open about Celtic needing more quality in the final third. Balikwisha could be a good fit. Celtic have been looking for players who can bring goals, creativity and flexibility, and the 24-year-old is now showing he can offer all three, even in a different role.<\/p>\n

Antwerp are believed to want between \u00a34 million and \u00a35 million if they\u2019re to let him go. That price might seem high, but given his age and current form, it could prove a smart bit of business.<\/p>\n

One complication is Antwerp\u2019s own squad depth. They\u2019re light on attacking options themselves, so they may be reluctant to sell without a replacement lined up.<\/p>\n

Celtic, though, are working to a tight deadline. With the Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty coming up, Rodgers<\/a> is allowed to add two players to the squad by Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

\"\"Soccer Football \u2013 Europa Conference League \u2013 Group H \u2013 Kairat v Basel \u2013 Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan \u2013 November 25, 2021 Basel\u2019s Edon Zhegrova in action with Kairat\u2019s Kamo Hovhannisyan and Jacek Goralski REUTERS\/Pavel Mikheyev<\/p>\n

Balikwisha looks like one of the most realistic options to come in before the deadline, possibly in time to feature in the first leg at Celtic Park<\/a> on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s not played on the wing this season, but if Celtic do make their move, they\u2019ll be signing a player finding form, full of energy, and with the potential to make a real impact.<\/p>\n


\n \"Tees
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