Rangers are in the hunt for a midfielder and, with Nicolas Raskin injuring the same ankle that saw him spend time on the sidelines last season, the need is greater than ever.
Spanish playmaker Joan Jordan has been targeted in a loan deal with Sevilla possibly willing to entertain a 50% contribution to his wages, together with the interest in Cheikh Niasse, Philippe Clement could be busy.
The manager has pleaded poverty, however, there are times when the board has to back their man and the players who have left in midfield must be replaced.
Cheikh Niasse could be new Rangers midfield enforcer
The two players named are both, technically, defensive midfielders.
They do though, play the position entirely differently.
If Jordan is Toni Kroos, Niasse is more like Nottingham Forest and former PSV Eindhoven destroyer Ibrahim Sangare.
A sentiment backed up by Data MB’s statistical comparison.
The player himself knows what he is good at and, in a conversation with Foot Mercato, has explained where he needs to improve:
“In terms of my strengths, I would say the physical side, I have a great ability to defend, I run a lot, I recover a lot of balls, I like to tackle a lot, I am good at anticipation.
“What I still lack a little is being impactful, going forward, making decisive passes and everything.
“These are really the points I am working on at the moment.”
Rangers need to replace departed midfield duo
Why can’t Rangers just sign both of them?
When you look at Ryan Jack – a destroyer – and John Lundstram – a spider – in Michael Beale’s definition of midfield types, Jordan and Niasse wouldn’t just be replacements, they’d be upgrades.
Niasse is 6ft 2, full of running, physical, and aggressive, all the things that Jack was but with a clean bill of health and only 24-years old.
As for Jordan, he might be in his 30s – just – but he was controlling a midfield that won two Europa League titles, Lundstram at his best wouldn’t be a match for the Spaniard.
Someone like Niasse is equally as important in domestic football.
His skillset allows for Clement to play with just one defensive midfielder and then have two more attack minded players to dictate tempo.
A proper defensive midfielder covers the pitch better and can put out firesf rom full-backs attacking high and being caught out.
On too many occasions last season, Rangers lost goals on counter-attacks because the midfield was too high up the park, too square and too slow.
Niasse on his own would be a quality addition, adding Jordan would see one of the best midfields at Ibrox for some time.
