Source: Daily_Mail
Neil Lennon rages at Islam Feruz move to Chelsea from Celtic
Neil Lennon has hit out at Islam Feruz and his agent over the teenage sensation's switch from Celtic to Chelsea.[LNB] Celtic had saved the Somalia-born Feruz and his family from deportation back to East Africa a decade ago after discovering his football talent, and moving him and his parents into accomodation in west Glasgow. [LNB] But the 16-year-old has now signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea worth around ?2,500-a-week, causing Lennon to rage against the player's attitude, and blaming his agent for the change in character.[LNB] Bright future: Islam Feruz (left) is to join Chelsea on scholarship terms[LNB] The Bhoys will be due compansation but that is no comfort to Lennon, who appeared aghast at losing a player who has represented Scotland at Under 17 level and already started training with the first team. [LNB]'I don't know what the latest situation is with him,' said Lennon. 'But suffice to say he won't be a Celtic player. [LNB]'I think he's been badly advised. I don't think the football is the main issue here.' [LNB]He added: 'He was going along very nicely when he had a good agent in John Colquhoun, then for some reason he decided to let somebody else come in and take over. [LNB]'I'd say it was round about March, April time when we first became aware of a problem with him. His attitude changed dramatically and his attitude towards the club changed dramatically.[LNB] 'Yet the club has been so good to him. We've looked after him and his family very well but his head's beenturned, obviously. [LNB] Not happy: Celtic manager Neil Lennon (right) hit out at Feruz's agent[LNB]'We'vedone all we can to keep him here. We took him out of what you might describe as a rough estate and put his family in a nice flat. We looked after him in that respect.[LNB] [LNB]'We did all we could, really, to make his life here as easy for him as possible.' [LNB] Lennon insisted that Celtic had mapped out a bright future for Feruz, offering him a path into the first team should he continue to develop as a player. [LNB]'We had him up training here with the first team the last few months of the season,' Lennon said. 'We told him he would be part of the development team this season in terms of being up here every day and training with the younger lads who are pushing for a first-team squad place; and also training with the first team on occasion too. [LNB]'We've had meetings - (chief executive) Peter Lawwell, myself - with his representatives, I use that term very loosely, but there was no sort of going back. He became different in his demeanour and personality. [LNB]'We've spoken to Islam. We've tried everything. We've had meetings in the boardroom with his family and representatives. I was waiting on an offer coming back from the representatives, but it never materialised. [LNB]'I think it's been really badly handled. He's been badly advised. I think he would've had far more of anopportunity to progress here.' [LNB] Player power: United were forced to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009[LNB]Lennonalso believes that Feruz would have been better off at Celtic, where hewould have more opportunities to break through, than Chelsea. [LNB]And the Northen Irishman also said the loss of Feruz reflected the wider problem of player power in football.[LNB] 'Islam is obviously a very strong boy for his age but the next two or three years are very important in terms of his development through full-time football,' said Lennon. 'If he thinks he's got a better chance with Chelsea, or his representatives think that, then fine. [LNB]'It's probably endemic of the modern game. It's very difficult when a player's head has been turned whether it be for financial reasons or ambition. Look at [Cristiano] Ronaldo, even he left Manchester United for Real Madrid. [LNB]'It's difficult to keep players happy if they think their future lies elsewhere. [LNB]'Younger players, again I wonder how much part the agents play in it in terms of turning their heads and telling them about this, that and the other.' [LNB]Feruz's agent, Rui Alves, has defended the move, however. He said: 'It was in Islam's heart to move to Chelsea.' [LNB] Drogba takes a break from Chelsea to pull on a lederhosen with his old foe Lehmann at OktoberfestCech reveals chilling recollection of skull fracture after 'being hit by a boxer' in clash with SaCeltic 2 Inverness 0: Ledley and Forrest keep Hoops in the hunt All the latest Celtic FC news, features and opinionAll the latest Chelsea FC news, features and opinion[LNB]
