If Michael Beale is pondering over his next big step in the summer transfer market then there are worse places to turn for a spot of advice.
Ronald de Boer knows a player when he sees one after all. And the Dutch legend - and former Ibrox hero - spoke exclusively to Record Sport to give his no-holds-barred verdict on the two strikers at the top end of Beale’s summer shopping list. On the one hand, Beale has identified Cremonese frontman Cyriel Dessers as a potential replacement for Alfredo Morelos.
On the other, while talks stall over the size of the Nigerian’s fee, Rangers have covered their bases by making an albeit low ball initial offer for Feyenoord’s Brazilian attacker Danilo - who was signed from Ajax after Dessers had left De Kuip for Italy last summer. All of which, it must be said, has left De Boer scratching his head and wondering what Beale’s big reveal might look like when the curtain comes up for the new season.
The 53-year-old said: “The strange thing is, they are definitely very different types of strikers. For me, Dessers might be a little more suitable for Scottish football because he’s more physical as a No.9. But it depends on what kind of team and what kind of philosophy you have. If you want to play more like total football then Danilo is a perfect player for that.
“Danilo is more about movement and pressing high. Of course, he will stand his ground but he’s totally different than Dessers’ type. Dessers will use his body more. If that’s what you want then he is probably the better option. But you have to look at what does the manager really want for the style he wants to play? That is something crucial. If you want a guy who waits for the moment, doesn’t get involved that much in the build up and gets in the box then it’s Dessers. But if you want to play high pressing football and you want to link up then Danilo is the perfect guy. But, first, you have to make up your mind.”
It seems highly unlikely Beale will be able to afford both given that Cremonese are demanding around £6.5million for their man and Feyenoord will accept nothing under £5m for theirs. De Boer believes, if Beale is looking for a like-for-like replacement of Morelos, then Dessers fits the bill. But his blessing comes with a caveat.
He went on: “Dessers is a very opportunistic player. If he’s not in form, or when the confidence is not there, he’s a very limited player. Then you think, ‘Who the hell did we sign here!’.
"But when the guy has confidence then you think, ‘Woah! Where is this coming from?’. Because when he’s playing at his best he does everything on instinct. He waits for his prey and then he attacks.
“But, for me, he’s a player who, when he’s feeling comfortable and the manager believes in him, he can add a lot of value. But it all depends on if he’s feeling good. If he feels good he’ll give Rangers a lot of pleasure. But it can also go the other way. If you want a type like Morelos then there is no doubt, you go for Dessers. What you would get from Dessers is a much better work ethic than Morelos gave the team over the last year.
“Morelos did also great things but, in the last 12 months, he didn’t really look fit. Of course, he had an injury but his mentality was not spot on. With Dessers you would get a guy who wants to show himself and, if I see him on television, he’s also a nice person and a good character. A totally different character than Morelos.”
Danilo, though, would be De Boer’s choice when it comes to a more rounded attacker. He said: “If you press high he’s amazing at that and he’s a very decent football player. Also, in the box, he can head the ball even though he’s not big. If he gets the chance to play every week he will only get better.
“Let’s put it this way, if you’re talking about marking players from zero to 10, Dessers can be a nine. But he can also play like a two. With Danilo, he will never go lower than a six. He can also play a nine but he would never go below a six. With Dessers that can happen.”
And De Boer believes he choice may rest not just on price but on which of the two Beale believes will link up best with another new arrival, Dutchman Sam Lammers.
He said: “Sam is also a technical player but where is he going to play? Is he going to play as a number ten? Or will he play with two strikers? If he wants to play with two strikers then Danilo is the perfect guy to play with Sam. But, if Dessers if feeling fine he is an amazing target man.
“Sam was one of the biggest talents at PSV Eindhoven and he has a lot of quality. But can he do it? He has the potential but I wouldn’t put money on it. With him I still have a bit of doubt. Danilo? My brother worked with him at Ajax and he liked him also. He’ll only get better in my eyes. He has a great work ethic and he scores some great goals. Dessers score goals also but he’s more of an opportunistic player. He can be crazy for you in a positive way but it’s like a coin on its side with him, it could go either way!”
But De Boer has a gut feeling Beale will work it all out for himself. He said: “From what I heard, he’s been very impressive. He deserves a good start and maybe, when his team has an injection of quality, he can do even better and really challenge Celtic. That would be a dream but, so far, he has done a marvellous job.”
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