Ibrox View: Stunning display from potential Rangers target should convince Gerrard to swoop
RANGERS OPINION
Rangers could be facing an unprecedented transfer window at the end of this season.
With the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic throwing everything up in the air from a logistical standpoint, it’s impossible to know at this present moment in time when the campaign will be concluded, and what it could mean for transfer activity.
One thing is for sure though, the Gers will have to have a reshuffle if they are to close the gap on Celtic and prevent 10-in-a-row from happening next season, provided they cannot catch the Hoops this time around.
And one name that has been thrown into the ring as a potential signing is that of Hamburg defender Rick van Drongelen.
The Daily Record name the 21-year-old on a list of five players who could be ideal acquisitions for Steven Gerrard this summer, and a quick look at him in action shows you exactly why that is the case.
So far this term, he has averaged a defensive duel win rate of 75.7%, as well as winning 5.61 aerial duels per game, and making 4.22 interceptions, as per Wyscout.
As a point of reference, Connor Goldson has won 64.6% of his defensive duels this season, as per Wyscout.
The main thing that stands out from watching van Drongelen is his natural physicality.
For a player as young as he is, he shows no fear in harrying and hassling forwards.
The image above, taken from his side’s 2-1 win over Jahn Regensburg recently, is a prime example.
Im this scenario, the ball has broken free, and van Drongelen has been beaten to it by a striker.
Rather than letting that be the end of it, however, the Dutchman applies unrelenting pressure on his man, forcing him into the mistake and allowing a teammate to sweep up the danger.
Similarly, van Drongelen’s aerial prowess is seriously impressive.
The centre-back won nine contests in the air in his most recent outing, but the image above really shows just how dominant he is in those situations.
He is miles above his attacker here, barley even allowing him to get off the ground.
The leap is huge, the header is assured, and the battle between the two players his massively one-sided.
Getting a deal over the line for van Drongelen wouldn’t necessarily be the easiest thing in the world, but from what we’ve seen, he’d be more than worth the effort.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox View: Latest update on ‘unbelievable’ reported Gers target will leave Gerrard beaming.