Cyriel Dessers labelled a ‘poor man’s’ Alfredo Morelos after anonymous display against Sparta Prague
Calum Crowe has slammed Cyriel Dessers for his anonymous performance against Sparta Prague, labelling the Rangers striker a “poor man’s version of Alfredo Morelos.”
The Light Blues managed to steal a point in their Europa League clash against the Czech side on Thursday (26 October) thanks to the heroics of Jack Butland in goal and a solid performance from the rest of Philippe Clement’s backline.
But it was another frustrating evening for summer signing Dessers as he failed to get involved in proceedings before being substituted after 74 minutes, leaving Scottish Daily Mail reporter Crowe to wonder if his improved display against Hibernian was just a “false dawn.”
Writing for the Scottish Daily Mail on Friday (27 October) he said: “Signed for a fee of over £4million from Cremonese in the summer, Dessers has shown precious little thus far to suggest he can vindicate that outlay.
“His link-up play on Thursday night was non-existent and his lack of mobility meant that, in the first half in particular, Rangers never really had an out-ball. Any time they managed to get the ball into his feet, his first touch was like a brick wall. He didn’t help his team get up the pitch.
“He looks like a poor man’s version of Alfredo Morelos. Dessers displays the qualities and tendencies of what we saw from Morelos at his worst when he was patently unfit and off the pace.
“Tough games away from home in Europe, these were the nights where Morelos excelled when he was on form and at his best. But Dessers never got going at all. He still looks like a £4m misfit and isn’t showing supporters enough to convince them he can turn it around.”
Damning
It speaks volumes of just how poor Dessers has been so far this season at Ibrox that many journalists and supporters are pining for the days of an unfit and off-the-pace Morelos to lead their line rather than the Nigerian centre-forward.
In truth, Dessers’ goal against Hibs papered over what was another incredibly average performance, as Todd Cantwell laid the chance on a plate for the 28-year-old after he had wasted a number of good opportunities in front of goal.
The former Cremonase strike was at his most anonymous on Thursday night however, as he only registered 21 touches of the ball and completed only six of his 12 attempted passes without having a single shot before he was replaced by Danilo with 15 minutes to play [Fotmob].
Rangers have plenty of problems to solve under the management of Clement, but it seems impossible for the Light Blues’ boss to continue to pick Dessers to start in attack as there has been little under the management of the Belgian or Beale to suggest he is capable of filling the void left by Morelos.
In other Rangers news, Clement has given an update on Borna Barisic’s return to fitness, with a timescale placed on his return