When Rangers were first linked with Jose Cifuentes, attempts to find out what type of player he would be saw comparisons with Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
Linked with bids from Chelsea for £80m, The Seagulls are said to value the 21-year old at £100m.
Rangers will be hoping that Jose Cifuentes can make a similar impact but, in terms of style, there are marked differences between the two Ecuador internationals, as reported by Transfermarkt.
Midfield is an area that Rangers have been struggling in the last couple of seasons and Jose Cifuentes will bring a much needed freshness.
Michael Beale was looking for more energy and a younger, more dynamic team.
The 24-year old fits this profile perfectly, it’s just a shame that John Lundstram and Ryan Jack were given the nod ahead of him.
Rangers given Jose Cifuentes lowdown amid Moises Caicedo comparisons
According to Marco dos Santos, his former Los Angeles FC coach, he will bring an entirely different style to the engine room though:
“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.”
This makes Rangers not throwing Jose Cifuentes on for the last 30 minutes against Kilmarnock even worse.
Alongside Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell, Beale has the opportunity to field a modern midfield, one that is well balanced and offers hard work out of possession and quality in it.
But he has to be brave enough to pick it.
Long term though, the hope will be that Rangers will give Jose Cifuentes the same platform that has allowed Moises Caicedo to shine, even if £100m might be asking a bit much.
The Brighton model isn’t a bad one to emulate, maybe David Weir can give us some tips.
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