New Rangers signing Jose Cifuentes has the potential to light up Ibrox following LAFC switch
Rangers look set to bring Ecuador and LAFC midfielder Jose Cifuentes to Ibrox this summer as they continue to build their squad ahead of the Scottish Premiership season, according to the Athletic.
The 24-year-old midfielder was set to join Michael Beale’s side in January on a pre-contract agreement when his current deal expired with the MLS club, but the Gers have instead opted to spend a transfer fee to bring the Ecuador international to Glasgow this summer.
Despite having only applied his trade in the Americas so far in his career, Rangers fans should certainly be excited by his incoming arrival, with Cifuentes representing one of the most well-rounded examples of an attack-minded modern-day centre-midfielder.
In the MLS this season Cifuentes has managed to register one goal and three assists from midfield, but his goal-scoring stats fail to tell the full story, which is one of a genuine creative threat and progressor of the ball.
A look at his FBRef scouting report displays a sea of bright green, with the midfielder lying in the top 10% of midfielders in the men’s next eight competitions for progressive passes, progressive carries and successful take-ons.
On top of that he is also in and above the 90th percentile of midfielders in terms of touches in the opposition penalty area and progressive passes received, meaning that he is almost always available as a forward option.
When in those forward areas he is more than likely going to do something that creates an opportunity for his team to strike, averaging 4.5 shot-creating actions a match in the last year, these include take-ons or drawing fouls.
In terms of his own goal-scoring ability, Cifuentes isn’t afraid to shoot, averaging just under two shots per match, which may not sound like a huge amount, yet still places him within the top 13% of midfielders.
Where he is weaker on the ball is his ability to find teammates consistently, such is the midfielder’s eagerness to play towards the opposition’s goal, he only completes three-quarters of his attempted passes a game, putting him in the bottom 22% of midfielders.
Defensively suspect
Defensively is where Cifuentes’ stock falls down slightly, he isn’t likely to do much dirty work, averaging less than one block, clearance or interception a game and less than two tackles per 90 minutes played.
Standing just under 5ft 9, the Ecuadorian isn’t the biggest physical presence, but still helps in the air winning more than one duel per match, meaning he is unlikely to be bullied in games.
The challenge for Rangers will be deciding on a midfield that allows him and their other creative players to shine, with Todd Cantwell, Kieran Dowell and Tom Lawrence very attacking-minded players.
For Beale to get the best out of not only his existing players, but also his new international, he is going to have to rely on the likes of Nicolas Raskin and John Lundstram to do a lot of the dirty work in the middle of the park.
In other Rangers news, Brazilian forward Danilo could be set to arrive at Ibrox today to complete his tranfser