Mick Beale’s Rangers are ‘confident’ of sealing a January deal for ES Setif playmaker Ahmed Kendouci, Football Scotland reporting that talks with the Algeria international are now underway.
Between them, the central midfielders currently plying their trade at Ibrox have scored just 12 league goals them in 2022/23. And a third of those can be attributes to John Lundstram.
Now, this would not normally be too much of a problem. But with Alfredo Morelos, Fashion Sakala and Ryan Kent not exactly contributing as Gers fans would have liked in the final third, a lack of goalscoring threat beyond the prolific Antonio Colak certainly goes some way to explaining why Rangers went into the World Cup break nine points adrift of Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops, after all, have found the net 50 times compared to Rangers’ 34.
One-time Algeria international Kendouci, then, would certainly be a welcome addition at Ibrox. An inspired, potentially game-changing addition.
Football Scotland say that Rangers are now in talks with the 23-year-old’s agent. Kendouci will be allowed to leave ES Sefit, though the Algerian outfit would prefer a permanent sale. Rangers are prioritising a loan-to-buy deal, although there is a quiet confidence that a deal can still be reached.
Mick Beale’s Rangers want Algeria international Ahmed Kendouci
And the numbers, as far as Kendouci is concerned, tell their own story. In 2021/22, this stylish, skilful attacking midfielder contributed 11 goals and 11 assists. Last season, he managed eight goals and six assists respectively.
Kendouci loves to run with the ball; turning defence into attack with a swagger, an elegance and a real sense of purpose. Think Malik Tillman with more experience and better end product.
“His creative passing figures are out of this world,” stats website Total Football Analysis said of Kendouci. “He has a top passing quality to get the ball into dangerous positions and a great view of the pitch. His great delivery from set pieces also contributes to these figures.
“Kendouci has the technical quality to manipulate the ball in tight spaces and escape pressure. He’s also very creative with his first touch, can leave players behind with unexpected flicks and carries the ball forward at a very good speed.
“But apart from creating chances, Kendouci also stands out as a finisher himself. He gets into the box a lot and poses a big goal threat.”
Kendouci could, perhaps, perform a similar role in Beale’s Rangers as Chris Willock did in his QPR side. A creator and a finisher of chances given the freedom to strut his stuff in a floating attacking midfield role.
Interestingly, Kendouci was linked with Celtic earlier in 2022.
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