Celtic’s last transfer window ended at the beginning of the month, but that hasn’t stopped them from shipping players abroad.
After losing his starting position under Brendan Rodgers, left-back Alexandro Bernabei was sent out on loan to SC Internacional, a team in the Brazilian top division, earlier this month.
The Argentine defender left to play regular football in Brazil after failing to persuade the Northern Irish head coach that he was a better alternative than first-choice defender Greg Taylor.
However, B team standout Mitchel Frame might prove to be the ideal successor to Bernabei, so Celtics head coach might not need to go to the free agent market or sign a long-term replacement in the summer.
Numbers from Alexandro Bernabei’s season
The 23-year-old full-back, who cost an estimated £3.75 million when he signed from Lanus in 2022, played in eight games in the Scottish Premiership this season before returning to South America on loan.
Of those, only three were as a starter, indicating that Rodgers did not think highly of him enough to start games frequently, and he did not perform well in those appearances.
He was a burden on defence for the Hoops because of his poor play when not in control. During those eight games, he lost 53% of his duels, including 67% of his aerial battles, and was dribbled past 0.6 times a game.
The left-footed lightweight did not provide quality on or off the ball for the Scottish giants this season as he did not score a goal or create a single “big chance” for his teammate in the league.
By giving gifted B team player Frame more playing time in the first squad, Rodgers may now find the ideal substitute for the Argentine full-back.
Why Alexandro Bernabei might be replaced by Mitchel Frame
The 18-year-old dynamo, who turned 18 in January, has made 16 appearances in the Lowland League this season as a regular starter for Celtic B.
Frame is a very skilled young player who was formerly referred to as a “top” potential by journalist Fabrizio Romano. In 2022, three Premier League teams reportedly expressed interest in signing Frame, including Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with each club offering him terms to join.
| 23/24 Champions League | |
|---|---|
| Mitchel Frame | Against Feyenoord |
| Minutes played | 15 |
| Passes completed | 2/3 |
| Duel success rate | 67% (2/3) |
| Tackles won | 2 |
| Crosses | 2 |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
The young defender was signed by Celtic, and as you can see in the table above, he made his Champions League debut this season. He won 67% of his duels, indicating that the Scottish star may be more physically gifted than the Argentine bust.
That is the only senior game he has played for the team so far, and with Bernabei leaving on loan, there may be more chances for him to play with Rodgers’ team before the season ends.
With Taylor without any natural left-back alternatives, the Northern Ireland manager now needs to give Frame an opportunity to shine in the Premiership following his impressive Champions League cameo.
The 18-year-old B team star would then come through the academy and replace Bernabei without costing the Hoops a single dime in transfer fees, so he might find a perfect fit.
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