Rangers recruitment during the summer can be perfectly described as being a mixed bag with Jose Cifuentes almost perfectly encapsulating the transfer window.
Bigged up by the previous manager Michael Beale, the Ecuador international has yet to fully hit the game changing heights expected of him to take the Ibrox outfit to the next level.
Instead, he has been little more than a squad player for Rangers with Jose Cifuentes yet to really get a chance under new manager Philippe Clement.
How can Rangers get the best out of Jose Cifuentes?
One of the problems is that nobody really seems to know what his best position is.
Speaking during the speculation linking Cifuentes with a move, Los Angeles FC assistant manager Marc dos Santos said of the midfielder when asked about the similarities with his Ecuador teammate Moises Caicedo:
“Sure, they have some similarities, but Caicedo is more of a no.8 or no. 6. Cifuentes is a bit more forward-thinking and is best suited as a no.8 or even as a no.10. I would describe him almost as a half-eight.”
“A typical two-way box-to-box midfielder has a good shot, is skillful, and very dynamic.”
Almost the exact opposite to how Rangers have been using Jose Cifuentes.
The 24-year old has been seen mainly in a double pivot, playing behind the ball rather than going box to box or being allowed to join the attack.
He certainly hasn’t been given the chance to play in the number ten position.
What options does Philippe Clement have with Cifuentes?
Michael Beale didn’t but perhaps Philippe Clement should be cognisant of what someone who knows Cifuentes inside out has to say.
John Lundstram appears to have the starting number six or defensive midfield role nailed down which leaves two more positions at number eight and number ten in the new manager’s preferred system.
The issue at ten, is that Tom Lawrence and Todd Cantwell can both play there whilst Sam Lammers has played almost every game in the central attacking midfield role.
So, what Clement has to do, is listen to Dos Santos and have Rangers set up in a way that allows Jose Cifuentes to do more than just recycle the ball.
Putting square pegs in round holes is never a good idea and for all that he might not play every game with Ryan Jack, Nicolas Raskin and Kieran Dowell also available, he should at least be afforded the chance to show what he can do in a system that suits his skillset.
