Celtic Thrown Into Intense Transfer Battle as Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea Move Aggressively to Hijack Deal for Star Player Described as Having ‘All the Attributes’ Needed to Become a Game-Changer at the Highest Level

Planning has already started for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers for this summer’s transfer window.

One thing the champions of Scotland don’t want is a club like Chelsea entering their space, because it then makes life more difficult for Celtic in this inflated and expensive transfer market.

When it comes to club size, Celtic can battle with anyone in the world, but given that they live in the bubble of Scottish football, then, from a financial perspective, they can only go so far.

Chelsea, now managed by Enzo Maresca, have spent over £1 billion since their new ownership took over from Roman Abramovich in 2022, including going down the road of buying young stars.

It’s a method Celtic also use, but they could be targeting a player not far from Glasgow in the form of Motherwell’s rising midfielder Lennon Miller.

Celtic face Chelsea competition for Motherwell’s Lennon Miller
If Celtic face a transfer battle for Miller from any Premier League team, then they have the financial power that the Hoops won’t be able to reach.

But it has been suggested by TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey that Chelsea’s owners BlueCo, are looking to seal the signing of Scottish starlet Lennon Miller.

Miller is expected to leave Fir Park this summer, after a breakthrough campaign, and after also picking up the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award in Scotland.

Celtic have long been linked with Miller, and this is the type of deal they do in their sleep, but if the Premier League clubs come in, then you can wave it goodbye, including with Maresca likely to guide Chelsea to the Champions League.

Miller’s stats for Motherwell as highly-rated teenager has ‘all the attributes’
One of the great signs for Miller is that, at the age of 18, he has racked up nearly 3,000 minutes of football, and that during a campaign when he was injured.

WhoScored have rated his performances in Scotland’s top-tier at just over seven, as Motherwell did very well to steer clear of the relegation zone this term.

Those who know him best, such as teammate Andy Halliday, think Miller has ‘all the attributes’, but he needs to continue playing if that happens, and you wonder what would happen if Chelsea and Maresca took him on board.

Miller also needs to remember that, after earning his maiden call-up for Scotland, and with the 2026 World Cup around the corner, he needs to be playing on a regular basis, and that’s where Celtic might become a plus.