What System Should Michael Beale Play to Fit Danilo, Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers in the Team?
Rangers recently signed Brazilian striker Danilo Pereira da Silva from Feyenoord in a deal worth up to £6 million. The forward has signed a five-year contract. Starting his career in Brazil, the 24-year-old moved to Holland and played for Ajax, Twente, and Feyenoord. Danilo won the Eredivisie twice, firstly with Ajax in 2021/2022 and last season with Feyenoord.
It was a long pursuit for Danilo, but Michael Beale eventually got his man. The Rangers manager had known of Danilo since his breakout year at Twente, where he scored 17 goals in 34 games. Speaking to the Rangers website, Beale said: “He is an exciting player who likes to create and score goals, he is one that I believe is a good fit for our squad, and he will give us another big option in the attacking areas of the pitch.
“The discussions were ongoing for some time, so I am delighted that we finally have him at our club. Danilo really wanted this move and has a strong belief in the plan that we have for him and for the team moving forward – this was key in the negotiations as he really pushed to join Rangers.”
Danilo scored 14 goals last season in all competitions and ten in Eredivisie, which helped Feyenoord win the title for the first time in six years. He was also the only player in the squad to have played every league game. The Light Blues’ forward line is jam-packed with competition and quality with new signings Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers, who also joined the club in the summer.
The former Ajax striker will fit into Beale’s system well. He’s an intelligent player, a quality finisher, who knows where the back of the net is, and with good movement inside the 6-yard box. However, the question remains: how can Rangers play with Danilo, Lammers, and Dessers at the same time?
Rangers have always played with wingers, but in order to fit Danilo, Dessers, and Lammers in the team, three players that in total cost £15 million – Beale will most likely have to change the system up. A 4-3-1-2 could be the right system to use – playing Lammers in behind as a number ten is a no-brainer, as he’s technically sound on the ball. He can link up the play well and is physically imposing, which is a bonus in a physically challenging league like the Scottish Premiership.
The Dutchman is the type of player who will provide the required service that Dessers and Danilo will be looking for. It will be interesting to see how Beale’s men adapt to two strikers up front, as they’ve always played with one striker. The Ibrox faithful, for years, have been crying out for two strikers to play together.
The striking partnership of Danilo and Dessers with Lammers in behind has the potential to be special, and it’s pivotal that Beale finds a system for all three of them to play in. Kemar Roofe’s future is still up in the air, but if he stays at Ibrox and can keep himself fit, the 30-year-old would give Dessers and Danilo competition for their places.
There has been a lot of excitement surrounding the signing of Danilo. The exciting forward is young and still yet to hit his prime. I believe he’s playing under the right coach and club for him to do that and go to the next level.
By: Scott Bradley / @ScottBradleyX
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Alan Harvey – SNS Group