If one thing is for certain then it's Rangers are in the market for a new No.9.
Yes, the arrival of Sam Lammers has been welcomed, however, the Dutchman's game is forged as much on lay-offs and clever touches, as it is about finding the back of the net, as a modest goal contribution of six in four seasons attests to. Rangers boss Michael Beale has putting together his revamped squad with Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell joining Lammers on board.
More will come, of course, Record Sport revealed back in March then Coventry City defender Jonathan Panzo was a target. But a proper finisher is being sought by the Englishman. Alfredo Morelos is gone but Rangers' all-time leading European goalscorer never netted 20 league goals in any of his six seasons in Glasgow. Beale's style, one which he had influence over as Steven Gerrard's key lieutenant, asks plenty from a No.9 and finding the net is one of them but not the only duty.
And that's why a clutch of varying strikers have been linked with Rangers in recent weeks. Brighton outcast Abdallah Sima is reportedly closing in on a loan deal and can play both wide and through the middle. Feyenoord's Danilo thrives as both a No.10 and central striker and Cyriel Dessers is a traditional No.9 who has played in Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy. While rising Hacken star Benie Traore is a converted winger and has been linked with both Rangers and rivals Celtic.
But who would represent the best buy? Record Sport runs the rule over the names in the frame and looks at their key traits and which areas they thrive in.
Key stats about quartet
The age range of those linked goes Traore (20), Sima (22), Danilio (24) to Dessers (28). All four are right-footed and all have experience of playing both wide and centrally in traditional 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems which are commonplace across Europe. All bar Traore have a market value between £4 and £6million. However, the Hacken forward appears destined to change his current value of £800,000 in the coming years, but more on that later.
All four have strong disciplinary records with all escaping any red cards over the past 12 months. Dessers leads the way with four bookings. Dessers and Sima are taller while Danilo and Traore stand at 5ft 7inches.
Goals per 90
The ultimate statistic for any attacker is how many goals do you average? The fairest way to judge four players with seasons starting at different times of the year is how many times they find the net. And Traore is the main man when it comes to finding the back of the net. He has 15 goals in 18 appearances for Hacken this season. Both Sima and Danilo can operate in non-central striker roles but both see the majority of their action through the middle.
Here's the stats for all four and Traore's are made all the more remarkable by the fact he has only played 18 games this season in the Swedish top flight. He is the leader when it comes to penalties with five of his four coming from 12 yards out.
(22/23) |
Goals | Goals per 90 |
| Dessers | 10 | 0.43 |
| Danilo | 14 |
0.56 |
| Sima | 6 | 0.25 |
| Traore | 15 | 0.85 |
Dribble kings
Back to a key aspect of Beale's method of playing. Striker's have never been asked merely to sniff out goals and that rings true for Morelos and Kemar Roofe. Versatile forwards who can win in different ways. How does this quartet fare?
| 22/23 | Dribbles per game | Successful dribbles (per cent) |
| Dessers | 3.79 | 47.73 |
| Danilo | 1.97 | 36.73 |
| Sima | 2.87 | 55.07 |
| Traore | 3.19 | 35.71 |
Dessers is the most active dribbler and has the second high success rate during his time with Cremonese. It's a similar case with Sima and Rangers know all about the forward's fleet-footed ability from his time with Sparta Prague. Traore is active but has work to do in this area. While Danilo both struggles to get the ball in space and furthermore falls short in terms of success.
May I assist you?
If you have watched a Rangers team under Gerrard or Beale you know it is vital for the man at the top of the pitch to be adept at linking the game with the three players in behind him – plus the two rampaging full backs from either wing. And one player stands out in this category again.
| 22/23 | Assists | Assists Per 90 (per cent) |
| Dessers | 2 | 0.09 |
| Danilo | 4 | 0.16 |
| Sima | 1 | 0.04 |
| Traore | 6 | 0.34 |
And it's that man Traore. His record is over only 18 games, so he is averaging an assist every three matches. That is a stat many playmakers would gladly take and turn into a lucrative move. But it only adds to Traore's burgeoning reputation. In 18 games this season in Sweden's top flight he has secured 15 goals and six assists. The best in the league by a distance and the reason why clubs across Europe are tuning in.
Who should Rangers go for?
The open and shut case would be for Traore on potential but the positional versatility of the quarter under the microscope means more than one could be feasible. Dessers appears a traditional striker, good in the air and an eye for goal, while Sima and Danilo offer positional versatility with both able to play alongside a main striker.
And now back to Traore. He looks diminutive when aiming to steal an inch against bruising Sweden central defenders, however, he is ice cool when presented with chances. His expected goals of (0.73 per game) hints at a player capable on continuing his heady numbers beyond his current purple patch with Hacken. Under six key metrics above, it's the Ivory Coast U23 international who comes out on top. A talent on the rise.
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