How Amad Diallo could fit in Rangers team - and one player to benefit most from new signing
The teenager will move north for the remainder of the season as part of his on-going development with the Red Devils as limited appearances have followed his big-money move from Atalanta last year.
United see the move as beneficial for exposing him to a winning culture, with expectations and Scottish football’s challenges.
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Hide AdBut how is he likely to be used in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team?
Solves a problem
The right-wing area has been an area Rangers required strengthening for a while.
Ryan Kent can play there but is more favoured to the left, Scott Wright is a work in progress while Kemar Roofe and Ianis Hagi have filled in there but neither are natural wide players for the role – Diallo is.
The Scottish champions were linked with Andreas Skov Olsen but no approach was ever confirmed for Bologna’s £6.7m Dane. The links made clear though it was a position of note and Rangers have now brought in a player who can fill it.
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Cutting both sides
Diallo is renowned for his footwork, technique and dribbling. He also possesses a rapid turn of pace down the right – but is left-footed.
His preferred move, cutting in off the flank, mirrors the similar traits of Ryan Kent, who scampers right-footed off Rangers’ left as one of their ‘inverted wingers’. Combine the pair behind Alfredo Morelos or Kemar Roofe for a quick-paced pincer movement to channelling play centrally in front of goal – and should raise more shooting opportunities.
Making space
Not only that, drifting inside will also create space in advanced areas on the wings – a position Rangers were devastatingly effective from, particularly last season, with their overlapping full-backs.
The buccaneering runs of James Tavernier and Borna Barisic have been a little more restrained under Giovanni van Bronckhorst but, when the pair did get particularly far forward against Livingston they created Rangers’ best chances on Wednesday night – whipped balls in from Tavernier caused panic in the away team’s box and Barisic played a pivotal role in the goal.
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Hide AdIf Diallo cuts in, there will be more space on his wing for the captain to exploit – and potentially add to his five goals and 13 assists this season.
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