Rangers forward Fashion Sakala boasts of elite-level ability in carry and dribble volume
Rangers landed Zambian international forward Fashion Sakala from KV Oostende on a four-year deal in May and he has shown huge promise since.
The 24-year-old joined the defending Scottish champions for free, and The Athletic has reported that he possesses elite-level ability when it comes to carrying the ball and progressing his team upfield.
Through the help of Smarterscout statistics, Sakala’s games from 2020-21 were analysed, and he hit Premier League standard in his carry and dribble volume, while also impressing with his shot volume, shot creation and defending impact.
One to watch out for
Sakala revealed that he had offers from clubs in the English top-flight but opted to join Rangers instead, and we have got a talented player on our hands.
While he is yet to assist or score two games into the campaign, we all saw what he is capable of doing with his goal in the 2-1 win over Real Madrid during pre-season.
His ability to hit teams on the counter-attack was evident in that game, and operating out wide looks to be the best position for him.
Sakala often played centrally while at Belgium, scoring most of the 13 goals he bagged in 29 games as a number 9.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard would have to decide what position is best for him if he wants to get the goals and assists from him.
With most teams in Scotland always ready to sit back and deny the Bears space, the Zambian star’s counter-attacking strengths could be effectively curtailed on the domestic scene, and he needs to get more creative if he wants to make any impact.
European football is a different matter, though, and it would be there and against teams willing to attack that we would get to see him at his best.
Sakala’s statistics have shown he would not struggle in the Premier League, but he now needs to prove himself for Rangers as we pursue another title and a place in the group stages of the Champions League.
In other Rangers news, reliable journalist shares significant Gers player injury update ahead of Malmo clash.