Rangers move for Cyriel Dessers has gone quiet which might explain why Feyenoord’s Danilo is now, reportedly, a target.
The 24-year old Brazilian is an exciting option despite not being a first pick for his club and having only moved to Rotterdam last summer.
As with Dessers though, if Rangers sign Danilo, they will be signing the number nine that will be expected to take up the responsibility of scoring goals.
In terms of raw numbers, Danilo had a good season last year despite not starting even 50% of Feyenoord’s league games.
With 14 goals and four assists, he outperformed Alfredo Morelos on a goal contribution ratio per minute.
Looking at Danilo’s profile on @DataMB, there is a very specific trend of what Michael Beale looks to be trying to build in terms of his attack.
Danilo and Cyriel Dessers have a similar radar other than for assists but it is clear that the Gers gaffer is looking for something in particular.
With low figures for passes into the box, expected assists and aerial success, Danilo is very much a “feed him and he will score” type of striker.
Pair him with someone like Sam Lammers, supported by a cast that includes Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence and we could be in for a lot of fun.
Add Abdallah Sima to that front line and we will, as Michael Beale said, have an entirely different look to Rangers attack,
More pace, more mobility and greater technical control than Fashion Sakala, Antonio Colak and Rabbi Matondo, who would have been the front three until the Gers gaffer started making moves.
In Alfredo Morelos, Rangers had a striker that we would expect to do everything, however, in that situation, something has to give.
A number nine can’t score goals and create them, except for those at the very top of the game.
Rangers fans either need to accept a Kris Boyd-like striker who will score more goals but often be anonymous or, one who will link play but not score as many.
This is the balance Michael Beale has to get right and he appears to be on the right tracks.
