For whatever reason- Chris Sutton discusses inevitable Celtic departure

Chris Sutton is slightly puzzled by Chris Jullien’s situation at Celtic but expects the defender to move out of the club before the end of August. 

The Frenchman flew over for discussions with Schalke about a move to the Bundesliga but for whatever reasons returned to Celtic to resume pre-season preparations. 

Jullien started and scored in Celtic’s opening pre-season friendly against Wiener Viktoria but in the five matches that have followed Stephen Welsh has partnered Cameron Carter-Vickers in central defence. 

Carl Starfelt will miss Sunday’s SPFL opener at home to Aberdeen but it is likely that Welsh and Moritz Jenz will be ahead of Jullien for a place in the side. 

Discussing Jullien’s situation from 8 minutes 50 seconds, Sutton said: 

Christopher Jullien, for whatever reason and I’ve got to say that I think Christopher Jullien in a Celtic shirt has had some really big moments, he’s been a good player. 

For whatever reason, Ange Postecoglou has seen him in training and he’s not for him. We know from the way that Celtic play, in many respects the centre-half has to be the best player because Ange Postecoglou’s style likes to overload in the midfield and forward areas and that leaves the centre half having to defend on their own at times. 

Maybe Ange Postecoglou feels that Christopher Jullien isn’t capable enough to do that. It looks like the decision has been made on him. They can’t leave themselves short in that position. 

A combination of circumstances have worked against Jullien, mainly through injury. 

It was February of last season before he made his only top team appearance, in the meantime Carter-Vickers and Starfelt had formed a reliable partnership in central defence. 

As a £7m signing in 2019 Jullien will be one of the highest earners at the club, with his contract expiring in May 2023 he is in the phase where he holds the cards with Postecoglou sticking with Carter-Vickers an Starfelt to provide stability away from contract and transfer speculation.