Rangers FC – Resetting the Player Trading Model
In the summer of 2023, the Rangers board handed then manager Michael Beale the ‘keys to the kingdom’. The Englishman, despite his experience as both a manager and recruiter, was allowed to find his own targets and bring them through the door.
Summer 23/24
This was how his summer window looked (permanent transfers only);
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- Danilo (24)
- Cyriel Dessers (28)
- Sam Lammers (26)
- José Cifuentes (24)
- Dujon Sterling (23)
- Leon Balogun (35)
- Jack Butland (30)
- Kieran Dowell (25)
The average age of those signings was just under twenty-seven with zero U23 signings. The guts of around €15m (via Transfermarkt) were spent in what, in hindsight, was a poor transfer window. The incomings and departures from last summer left Rangers with very little assets for the player trading model that the club wanted to implement.
The Arrival of Nils Koppen
Michael Beale was sacked shortly into the season to be replaced by Philippe Clement. However, the biggest change in regards to player trading, came with the club hiring Nils Koppen from PSV Eindhoven at the beginning of January. Having been a scout at his previous club he was brought in as the ‘Director of Football Recruitment’ and the transfer strategy changed immediately.
A lack of funds in the January window meant only two signings were made, the direct loan of Fabio Silva (21) from Wolves and the loan with an obligation to buy of Mohammed Diomande (22). These felt like statement signings and a sign of intent going forward.
It was the summer window that really highlighted the direction the club’s recruitment was going in. These were the signings made (permanent deals only);
- Mohamed Diomandé (22)
- Nedim Bajrami (25)
- Robin Pröpper (30)
- Hamza Igamane (21)
- Jefté (20)
- Clinton Nsiala (20)
- Connor Barron (22)
- Liam Kelly (28)
The average age of the signings this summer was twenty-four if we round it up (it was actually 23.5) with five U23 signings. That doesn’t include the loan signings of Óscar Cortés (20) and Neraysho Kasanwirjo (22). The former having an obligation to buy and the latter having an option to buy on their loan deals.
Around the same money was spent this summer (via Transfermarkt) but some genuinely sellable assets were added this time around. Last year’s squad (of players who played significant minutes) had an average age of 26.5 and now it’s down to 24.6, almost two years of a difference.
Sellable Assets
Of the players signed this summer, Connor Barron and Jefté have had the biggest impact so far. The former has started every league game this season and has an average SofaScore rating of 7.02 and has also been called up to the Scotland senior squad. His industry and tenacity have been infectious for the fans, many of whom now believe he’s the type of player with the potential to be sold on for a massive profit.
Jefté has impressed with his attacking prowess, pace and energy down the left-hand side. He’s had minutes at both left-back and left wing, showing equal quality in both positions. He’s grown up a massive admirer of Marcelo and that admiration has transpired into his own play style.
He has a beautiful left foot and is a fantastic crosser of the ball. His ability to beat opponents also has the fans off their seats at times as he’s capable of driving both inside and on the outside of the pitch. These attributes, again, lead many fans to believe that he’s a player with the potential to be sold for big profit.
Before this summer window, there wasn’t many genuinely sellable assets in the Rangers first team. Now the club not only have a balanced squad that’s starting to perform but also have players that can, potentially, be sold for substantial fees.
Financial Disparity
Given the fact that Rangers have failed to qualify for the Champions League the previous two seasons, there’s now a significant financial gap between the club and their nearest rivals, Celtic. Celtic have not only got the Champions League money; they’ve also traded players very smartly and consistently over the last few years.
Apart from the sales of Calvin Bassey and Nathan Patterson, Rangers have nothing to write home about in terms of player trading. That is why the recruitment strategy had to change and quickly. That is why the appointment of a scout from a club like PSV was so significant in changing that strategy.
Player trading is not easy and never will be. There are no guarantees that anyone in the current Rangers squad goes for £10m+, however, there’s much more of a chance of it happening after the latest summer window.
Until the club can consistently qualify for the Champions League, player trading has to be the way they bridge that financial gap.
Current Performance
After a 1-0 win against Hibernian, which marked the sixth clean sheet in seven games, things are looking more positive for Rangers fans. The new signings are settling in well and the style the manager wants the players to play is becoming ever more apparent.
If this trend can continue to the next international break and beyond then there’s every reason for Rangers fans to get excited about the future. Philippe Clement said that fans wouldn’t see the best of the squad until around October and it looks like he may just have known what he was talking about.
By: Kai Watson / @KaiGWatson
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Ian MacNicol / Getty Images