The striker has revived his career at Lens after a disappointing stint in the Premier League
Odsonne Edouard
Striker Odsonne Edouard has admitted he was angered by being described as a signing “gamble” last summer amid speculation over a Celtic return.
Treble hero Edouard was a stand-out during his four years in Glasgow, smashing 87 goals before sealing a £15million move to Crystal Palace in 2021.
However, the move turned sour and last season the Frenchman was farmed out on loan to Leicester City but endured a miserable year – and failed to play a single minute under then-boss Ruud van Nistelrooy after his appointment in the second half of the season.
Record Sport revealed that the Hoops had been informed that Edouard was available after his Palace contract expired – and Celtic hero Charlie Mulgrew claimed that contact was made in the final hours of the window by the frontman’s team.
However, he stated that Brendan Rodgers turned down the chance to be reunited with the former Parkhead talisman as he opted to bring in Kelechi Iheancho.
The 28-year-old would eventually sign for Lens and revive his career – who has netted two goals in his last two Ligue 1 games – netting 12 goals so far this term and leading his club to an unlikely title bid.
The bullish frontman told Onze Mondial : “When you see people saying or writing, ‘The Odsonne Édouard bet – it’s a gamble’ – I’d like to bet on someone who’s played in the Champions League, the Europa League, who’s scored goals in the Premier League, and pretty much everywhere he’s played.
“I’d like to bet on a 27-year-old player who’s scored over 100 career goals.
“That’s what annoyed me a bit. I’ve been, in a manner of speaking, underestimated.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Edouard also opened up on his struggles last term – but insisted he did not lose confidence in his ability: “I wasn’t playing at all for a while, I wasn’t even making the squads anymore, I was invisible to people.
“I was training two to three times a day. I was waiting for this moment and as soon as I had the opportunity to play again, I had to show everyone that I was here, that I was still capable of scoring goals.”
“The key was to get back to peak physical condition quite quickly. I knew that was going to be the biggest challenge.
“In terms of my footballing abilities, I had no doubt. I knew it would work, that I would score goals.”
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