Leon Balogun reveals Arsenal legend as top wish for dream Rangers signing to Sky Sports
Leon Balogun has named Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as the player he would most like Rangers to be able to sign, with the French former striker his “all-time favourite player”.
The Ibrox defender told Sky Sports (4 August) that it would be “absolutely lovely” to play with the World Cup winner if he could choose from anyone in the world of football, thanks to the way Henry, now 45, was “absolutely crucial” to his team.
Henry retired in 2014 after 123 France caps and 51 international strikes, a record which was only surpassed by AC Milan’s Olivier Giroud in December.
The Gers defender said: “Theirry Henry because he’s my all-time favourite player. I would love [to] ideally play with him, but just to be on the pitch with him on a few occasions, that would be absolutely lovely.
“Thierry Henry, King Titi as I like to call him, is for me, even as a defender… I just love the way he played the game, he brought flair and style to the game and just being absolutely crucial for his team, great player.”
Superstar
Henry in his prime had the quality to dominate virtually any division in the world, and regularly did so in the English Premier League, before going on to win the Champions League at Barcelona.
He finished his career after a stint with New York Red Bulls with more than 400 goals for club and country, and has since managed Monaco and Montreal Impact.
They may not be on Henry’s level Michael Beale has added extensively to his attack at Ibrox this summer and will be hoping that his new signings can produce even a fraction of the France legend’s output going forward.
A wholesale revamp of the Rangers attacking departments looks likely to continue with Fashion Sakala and Scott Wright now in line to follow Alfredo Morelos, Antonio Colak and Ryan Kent out of Scotland, with Malik Tillman’s loan also ending.
Kemar Roofe and Ianis Hagi may end up being the only holdovers from last season, with Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Danilo brought in for significant money, and Abdallah Sima added on loan.
The 21-goal shortfall to champions Celtic last term needs closing and the Light Blues boss appears to have got the men he wanted in order to do so.
In other Rangers news, a first-team Ibrox ace is now certain to leave with multiple clubs in the race, amid a “when not if” verdict.