Clement could sign Barisic’s next Kent in Rangers move for £3m ace with “pace to burn” – opinion

The January transfer window closes in just over a week,

and Glasgow Rangers still have time to add to their team.

Philippe Clement is looking to bolster his playing group ahead of the second half of the season,

as the Light Blues prepare to compete for domestic and European titles.

TEAMtalk revealed earlier this month that the club is one among

the teams interested in signing the winger, who may fetch roughly £3 million.

Clement may now land Borna Barisic’s next Ryan Kent on the left wing,

as Abdallah Sima does not provide the same creative qualities that made

the aforementioned duo so fearsome for opposition defences, in a move for the Light Blues target.

Barisic and Kent’s Chemistry

The combination terrified full-backs with their electrifying link-up down the left side,

creating high-quality chances for their teammates on a consistent basis.

They were very impressive as creators during the club’s most recent

Scottish Premiership victory in the 2020/21 season under Steven Gerrard, as shown in the table below.

They also drew attention last season under Gio van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale,

as Kent produced eight assists, nine ‘big chances’ created, and 2.2 key passes per game in 29 league games,

while Barisic produced nine assists, 12 ‘big chances’ created, and 2.3 key passes per match across 30 games.

This season, the Croatia international has only generated one ‘big chance’ in 11 league games.

That might be attributed to Sima’s lack of inventiveness on the wing,

as the forward has only made 1.0 key pass per game and generated two ‘big chances’ in 20 Premier League games.

Statistics demonstrating why Manhoef could be Barisic’s next Kent.

Rangers may get Barisic back to his best by adding Manhoef as his next Kent on the flank,

allowing Sima to play centrally or on the right side.

The 22-year-old attacker’s form for Vitesse during the 2022/23 season implies

that he possesses the creative abilities to be an ideal partner for the Gers left-back.

He was among the top 13% of Eredivisie midfielders in shot-creating actions (3.76) per 90 and Expected Assisted Goals (0.20) per 90.

Manhoef, who Dutch football writer Michael Bell described as having “pace to burn,”

provided five assists and ten ‘big chances’ generated in 27 starts in the Dutch top-flight,

demonstrating that he has the potential to be an impressive creative threat down the left side.

The Dutch wizard, who has 13 Eredivisie goals since the start of last season,

possesses the creativity to develop a dynamic relationship with Barisic at Ibrox, as Kent did.

They may both present a consistent danger in the final third by combining to produce high-quality opportunities for Sima,

Cyriel Dessers, and Todd Cantwell, among others, to score goals.

Barisic, on the other hand, has been limited in his performance this season by having Sima in front of him,

as the forward is more focused on scoring goals than creating for others – with 10 league strikes.

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Clement could sign Barisic’s next Kent in Rangers move for £3m ace with “pace to burn”