Ibrox View: New boy Leon Balogun has started life at Rangers brilliantly
The only thing better than Rangers signing a great player is Rangers signing a great player for nothing.
The Gers look to have pulled off a real coup in their capture of Leon Balogun this summer, and the Nigeria international has taken to life at Ibrox with impressive ease.
After helping Wigan Athletic to keep six clean sheets during his 11 matches with the Latics, it looks as if Balogun has been able to keep that run of form going in Scotland.
The 32-year-old helped the Gers to three successive clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership, as they maintained their 100% record after a trio of eye-catching wins.
He picked up an injury against St. Johnstone and missed the disappointing 0-0 draw v Livingston at the weekend.
He was a miss and his first two games in Scotland really served to highlight the kind of player that he can be.
Over those two matches, Balogun won 81.8% of his defensive duels, as per Wyscout.
As a point of reference, Goldson’s season average in that area was 17.1% lower over the course of 2019/20.
Similarly, he won 21.5% more loose balls and 15% more aerial duels.
Above, for instance, is his aerial duel map against Aberdeen on the opening day of the season.
The main thing to notice here is that they are all won in relatively advanced areas.
The most obvious reason for that is that Balogun is getting up high and winning the first ball from goal kicks and long balls.
That may seem like a relatively minor thing, but it quells any kind of danger before it is given a chance to properly develop.
Likewise, if we look at the areas in which Balogun won his 50/50s against St. Mirren, we see a player who is brilliantly adept at stepping out from the back and stamping out the threat before his opponents get a chance to really find their rhythm.
Having a defender who is willing and capable of that can save a side so much hassle over the season, and potentially even a few points too.
He’s only been here a matter of weeks, but Balogun must be one of the first names one the team sheet now when he recovers from his quad injury.
In other Rangers news, Darren Fletcher has backed this Gers talent for big season in 20/21 after impressive showing v Aberdeen.