Celtic new signing Jeffrey Schlupp could emulate Aaron Mooy

The return of a familiar hero in Portuguese winger Jota provided a boost, as did securing Kiernan Tierney on a pre-contract agreement to join in the summer. However, the club’s decision to grant Kyogo Furuhashi’s wish to move on without bringing in a replacement has left Celtic short of options in attack. A move for Norwegian winger Sondre Ørjasæter was mooted but ultimately failed to materialise, further limiting Rodgers' forward-line options.

Speculation also surrounded a potential January return for Tierney, particularly after loanee left-back Alex Valle was recalled by Barcelona before being sent to Como. However, a deal could not be struck with Arsenal.

Celtic did manage to reinforce their left-back options in the end with the loan signing of Crystal Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp on deadline day. The 32-year-old former Ghanaian international, who had previously been linked with a move to Glasgow last summer, joins until the end of the season when his contract with the Premier League side expires.

Schlupp wasted no time in making his debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in Wednesday night’s dominant 6-0 victory over Dundee at Celtic Park. His first appearance in green and white offered a brief glimpse of what he could bring to the team in the coming months.

A versatile and experienced player, Schlupp is capable of operating further forward and in central midfield but is very much expected to provide cover and competition for first-choice left-back Greg Taylor. This was the position he slotted into on Wednesday night as Celtic went 13 points clear at the summit of the Scottish Premiership table with 13 games to go. 

In this scout report, we will assess Schlupp’s attributes, his potential role within Rodgers’ system, and what impact he could have during his time at Celtic Park.

Player profile 

A product of Leicester City’s academy, Schlupp made his senior debut for the Foxes in 2011, after a short loan spell at Brentford, before going on to establish himself as a key player in the East Midlands side’s Championship-winning squad. His versatility and athleticism saw him become a valuable asset as Leicester shocked the world by winning the Premier League title in 2015/16.

The German-born Ghanaian went on to make over 140 appearances for Leicester before moving to Crystal Palace in January 2017 for a reported £12 million. At Selhurst Park, he became a dependable presence across multiple roles, featuring as a left-back, wing-back, winger and central midfielder (his career positions played are shown in the below graphic from Transfermarkt). Across his seven years at the club, he made 247 appearances, scoring 19 goals and providing 15 assists.

At international level, Schlupp has been capped 20 times for Ghana, making his debut in 2011. Despite his experience, he has not been a regular for the national team in recent years. Standing at 5’10’’, Schlupp possesses excellent acceleration and upper-body strength. Physically, he is a powerful and dynamic player.

Data Analysis

The above chart, built using Wyscout per-90 data converted into percentile ranks, provides a picture of Schlupp’s playing style and strengths. While he has only accumulated just over 170 Premier League minutes this season, this analysis is based on his 2022/23 campaign, where he played over 1,500 minutes – primarily as a left-winger in Crystal Palace’s 4-2-3-1 system. As a result, his metrics are compared to other wingers and attacking midfielders in England’s top flight.

Given the high calibre of attacking talent in the Premier League, it’s unsurprising that Schlupp – playing for a mid-table Palace side – does not stand out in the attacking section. He contributed two goals and two assists last season, but his underlying goal contribution metrics (0.13 xG and 0.07 xA) both rank in the bottom quartile. However, one positive was his shot quality, with an average of 0.13 xG per shot, suggesting he tends to get into good scoring positions when he does take efforts on goal.

In the possession section, Schlupp’s low rankings for passing volume are largely reflective of Palace’s tactical approach, as they averaged just 41.8 per cent possession – the fifth-lowest in the division. Despite this, his general passing accuracy and short-to-medium passing percentages were above average for wingers and attacking midfielders, while his through-pass accuracy also stood out as a relative strength, despite his limited creative output. His progressive passing accuracy was the lowest of the four passing metrics included in the data analysis, ranking in the 38th percentile.

Encouragingly, given his likely role over the coming weeks will be at left-back, Schlupp’s defensive metrics are where he stands out the most. Last season, he was highly active in defensive duels, contesting 6.61 per 90 and winning an impressive 61.61 per cent of them – placing him in the top quartile among his positional peers. His possession-adjusted interceptions (2.94 per 90) also ranked respectably in the 50th percentile, indicating his ability to read the game and disrupt opposition attacks effectively. 

Possession 

As Schlupp transitions to a Celtic side that dominates possession more often than not, his ability on the ball will be key to determining his effectiveness. While playing in a more counter-attacking setup at Crystal Palace, his above-average passing accuracy for a winger or attacking midfielder in the Premier League suggests he offers a solid level of ball security. 

If deployed as an inverted full-back, similar to Greg Taylor, Schlupp’s passing ability suggests he could be effective in this role. The Wyscout graphic above highlights his accuracy in central areas, particularly on the left side of midfield, where an inverted full-back typically operates when helping to construct play against deep-lying defences. Given his experience in central midfield at a very high level, it is encouraging to see that he ranks well for passing accuracy in multiple directions from these positions, especially forward passes.

It is worth noting that the data sample used in this analysis covers the last calendar year, meaning the minutes included are somewhat limited. However, the trends suggest that Schlupp is comfortable in possession and capable of contributing positively in a more ball-dominant team.

Beyond simple retention, Schlupp also possesses the vision to break defensive lines when required. He is willing to attempt progressive passes, threading the ball through tight spaces rather than always playing it safe. While his execution can sometimes be inconsistent – occasionally overhitting these trickier passes – his intent to play forward is a positive sign. A prime example of this came in a match against Arsenal, where, despite being tightly marked in a wide area and facing his own goal, he produced a clever piece of skill to flick the ball around the corner and in behind for teammate Tyrick Mitchell.

Another standout feature of Schlupp’s game is his dribbling ability. He is a strong and direct ball carrier, capable of driving past opponents using a combination of pace and physicality. While his dribbling metrics do not necessarily place him among the elite wingers in the Premier League, he does tend to retain possession reasonably well after a dribble – something that should translate effectively to Scottish football.

Schlupp’s agility and balance allow him to evade challenges – a notable example came in Palace’s win over Wolves, where he surged past three defenders before being brought down in the box to win a penalty. This ability to beat players and carry the ball forward could be a real asset, particularly when breaking down lower blocks or launching counterattacks when those opportunities arise.

Defending 

Schlupp’s defensive responsibilities have varied throughout his career, having played as a winger, central midfielder, and left-back. Regardless of his position, he consistently displays an impressive work rate and covers ground quickly, aided by his pace. This mobility is crucial in Rodgers’ system, particularly for counter-pressing situations.

Although the sample size is again limited, the Wyscout data above highlights Schlupp’s recoveries in the final third over the past year. He averages 2.64 recoveries per 90 minutes in this area, with 0.88 classified as dangerous recoveries – both figures ranking among the higher end of Premier League outfield players during this period. Notably, his recoveries have been concentrated on the left side, with Crystal Palace scoring twice from instances where he won possession high up the pitch.

Beyond his pressing ability, Schlupp’s physical attributes also make him an asset in defensive duels. One prime example came against Manchester City at the Etihad, where he stepped in to dispossess Rodri – one of the league’s most physically dominant midfielders – on the edge of Palace’s box.

Schlupp’s ability to use his strength effectively in defensive situations was also evident last season against Sheffield United. In this instance, he tracked a surging run from Blades centre-back Anel Ahmedhodžić, matching his opponent stride-for-stride before using his body well to regain possession.

After winning the ball, Schlupp then showcased his composure and strength, shielding it from pressure before drawing a foul in the corner. This clever play not only relieved pressure on his side but also helped Palace see out their narrow lead in the closing stages of the match.

Attacking 

While Schlupp is not expected to be a primary goal threat from left-back, he has shown the ability to contribute when he ventures into advanced positions. His experience playing further forward means he can pose a danger in and around the opposition box when opportunities arise.

As highlighted in the graphic from Wyscout above, Schlupp’s shot selection over the past year follows a clear pattern. The majority of his efforts originate from his favoured left foot, often coming later in games – influenced by his frequent appearances from the bench.

As already seen in his data analysis, his xG per shot ranking suggests he takes his chances from high-quality positions, and here, the graphic shows most of his efforts coming from inside the box. That said, he is still capable of scoring from distance, as demonstrated by his stunning strike into the top corner against Fulham at Craven Cottage last season – a reminder of his powerful ball-striking ability when given space.

In terms of chance creation, Schlupp is not a traditional playmaker but does have the ability to make intelligent runs and deliver effective passes in the final third. As we also saw earlier in his data analysis, his through-pass accuracy ranked above average for his position last season, showing he can pick out teammates when in attacking areas. 

A previous example of this came in a match against Liverpool, where he slipped a perfectly weighted ball through to pick out the run of Jean-Philippe Mateta, who went on to roll the ball over to former Celtic hero Odsonne Edouard to finish from close range.

Conclusion

While Schlupp may not have been the kind of marquee January addition many Celtic fans had hoped for, his arrival could prove to be a shrewd piece of business. With vast Premier League experience, positional versatility, and a well-rounded skill set, he has the potential to make a meaningful contribution in the second half of the season.

In many ways, his signing echoes that of Aaron Mooy, another seasoned Premier League performer who arrived with modest fanfare in Ange Postecoglou’s second season but ultimately played a crucial role in Celtic’s continued domestic dominance. If he can adapt quickly to Scottish football and make an immediate impact, Schlupp could well be another experienced addition who will go on to prove his worth.