Glasgow Rangers may have signed seven players during the current summer transfer window, but Philippe Clement will be evaluated based on who he manages to sell between now and the end of August.
Several poor transfer windows prior to Clement’s arrival have set the Gers back, as there are a number of players on high wages that the Ibrox club may struggle to offload this summer.
Among them are Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers, and Scott Wright. The 50-year-old manager still has time to offload the deadwood and sign better quality players, but the clock is ticking.
Even big names like James Tavernier have been linked with an exit from Rangers, with Trabzonspor reportedly making a proposal for the captain last week. It remains to be seen whether Clement will sell him.
With the manager having slightly reduced the average age of the squad over the past few months, he may be looking at younger players to lead the Light Blues during the 2024/25 campaign.
This could be spearheaded by two of the best signings made by the Ibrox side in recent years – Dujon Sterling and Mohamed Diomande.
Why Sterling and Diomande will be crucial for Rangers
Sterling demonstrated his positional flexibility in his first season at the club, making 36 appearances in all competitions and playing across six positions, providing Clement with options all over the pitch.
He won 50% of his ground duels, was dribbled past just 0.3 times per game, and created two big chances in the Premiership last term, despite starting only 11 times.
If Tavernier does leave in the next few weeks, Sterling is more than an adequate replacement for the captain, showcasing his qualities whenever called upon.
Diomande may have only joined the club in January, but his impact has been impressive. Not only did he score twice in 19 appearances, but he also settled into the heart of the midfield with ease.
Alongside his two goals, the Ivorian created a big chance, averaged 1.5 key passes per game, succeeded with 62% of his dribbles per match, and recovered 4.8 balls per game, showcasing his talents across a range of metrics.
If he can hit the ground running against Hearts in the top-flight opener in just under two weeks, Clement has a diamond on his hands that could make the club a substantial profit in the coming years.
Sterling and Diomande’s market values at Rangers
Sterling arrived on a free transfer after his Chelsea contract expired, but his value has surged in just over a year.
According to Transfermarkt, the Englishman is now valued at €4m (£3m), with his worth increasing rapidly due to his impressive performances last term.
The pair exemplify the potential benefits of effective recruitment, with both likely to generate significant fees if they move on anytime soon. Another player who could fetch a decent price is Connor Goldson.
| Top five highest earners at Rangers | |
|---|---|
| Player | Wage |
| Connor Goldson | £37k-per-week |
| James Tavernier | £30k-per-week |
| Ben Davies | £27k-per-week |
| Cyriel Dessers | £27k-per-week |
| Danilo | £26k-per-week |
| Via Salary Sport | |
The center-back currently earns £37k-per-week at Rangers, making him the highest earner by quite some distance. Freeing up this amount of cash would give Clement some flexibility for making new signings, which is exactly what is needed.
Connor Goldson’s season in numbers
Since joining from the Premier League in 2018, Goldson has made over 300 competitive appearances. However, he made several simple mistakes last term.
The defender was regularly caught out by long balls over the top in the Premiership, particularly in a tie against Aberdeen in November. Could this summer be the perfect time for him to leave?
He lost possession 10.8 times per game last term while averaging just 0.3 interceptions and 1.5 tackles per game, ranking him 17th and sixth in the squad among his teammates for those metrics.
Connor Goldson’s market value at Rangers
According to Transfermarkt, the 31-year-old defender is valued at €5m (£4m), though this has been dropping rapidly in recent seasons. Indeed, he was valued as high as €8m (£7m) back in 2022, indicating a clear decline in his footballing prowess.
This suggests that cashing in on the 6-foot-3 defender this summer would be the most logical decision for Clement. With two years left on his current deal, the club should be able to secure a decent transfer fee, which could be used for new signings.
While the 2023/24 campaign may not be a high point for Goldson, there is no doubting his influence during his six-year spell at the club, particularly during the Premiership title win in 2021 and helping the club reach the 2022 Europa League final.
All good things must come to an end. The Belgian shouldn’t let sentimentality influence his decisions this summer, especially with a squad in need of rebuilding.
If solid offers come in for both Tavernier and Goldson in the coming days, they should be thanked for their contributions and moved on accordingly.