Ibrox View: Berahino shows traits that could make him a hit for Rangers next term
RANGERS OPINION
Rangers have already signalled their intent in the transfer market this summer with an early permanent swoop for loanee Ianis Hagi.
The Romanian became the Gers’ first signing of the transfer window when he completed a switch from Belgian outfit Genk on Wednesday, but you get the feeling that he won’t be the only piece of business that the Ibrox giants look to wrap up over the coming months.
Another name that has already been linked with a potential move to Glasgow is that of Saido Berahino.
The 26-year-old left British football under a dark cloud at the end of last season following doomed spells at West Brom and Stoke City, and now plies his trade for Belgian side Zulte Waregem.
According to Voetbal Nieuws, the Gers could be looking to offer him a return to the United Kingdom following a decent campaign in which he has hit eight goals and three assists in 22 outings across all competitions.
But is he worth taking a gamble on this summer?
On paper, at least, he definitely looks as if he could offer the Gers something.
Granted, his goals per game ratio of 0.35 and his xG of 0.23 are both some way below Alfredo Morelos’ respective totals of 0.73 and 0.72, as per Wyscout, but in a lot of other areas he actually exceeds the Colombian.
Berahino has a pass completion rate 9% better than Morelos‘ this term, as well as a cross accuracy rate that is 8.3% better, a dribble success rate that is 4.3% better, and an aerial duel success rate that is 4.2% better.
And even though his numbers aren’t as eye-catching as the South American’s, he’s no slouch in front of goal either.
The image above was taken just before Berahino scored a sublime goal for Zulte back in December, and illustrates a lot of his most dangerous traits brilliantly.
In the first instance, the striker receives the ball in an advanced position, and immediately looks to drive at his defender, pushing him onto the back foot on the edge of his own box where he knows he can’t risk diving into a tackle.
Berahino then plays a brilliant little ball inside before darting between two defenders.
That movement, continuing his run into such a lethal area, shows fantastic hunger and plenty of predatory instinct.
His pace causes confusion and leaves both opponents unsure as to who should be following him.
Even with that fantastic run, however, the weight of the pass forces Berahino wide and onto his weaker left foot.
But the forward shows wonderful composure, and an incredible amount of skill, not only flooring the onrushing goalkeeper with a deft dummy, but then dinking a shot over him from a very tight angle and into an empty net.
Berahino isn’t just a goalscoring threat though.
The image above, taken from the striker’s last game before the Belgian season was curtailed because of the Coronavirus pandemic, showcases the forward’s creative talents too.
Again, driving at his defender in the box, the ex-West Brom man is able to engineer a crossing opportunity by shifting the ball onto his preferred right boot at high speed.
From there his delivery his absolutely delicious, cutting across the face of goal with whip and menace, and somehow evading everybody before finding his oncoming teammate at the back stick.
The finish is a tap-in, and it is purely a result of Berahino’s own ingenuity and directness.
If he could bring those traits with him to Ibrox, and if he was afforded the opportunity to play alongside the array of attacking talent that Steven Gerrard already has at his disposal in Glasgow, he could prove to be a really clever acquisition this summer.
In other Rangers news, Charlie Adam argues Morelos must stay and repay Rangers faith this summer.