Rangers were linked with Wigan Atheltic’s playmaker Nick Powell in the past few months. However, latest reports from the Daily Star states that the Gers are set to miss out on this free agent as the English playmaker has agreed to join Stoke City. This should come as a big blow for the club as signing a playmaker is an absolute necessity for Gerrard.
Why Rangers need a playmaker?
Gerrard has plenty of options to choose in the middle of the park. However, most of the players he has are in a similar mould as they are best at playing in a box to box role. The likes of Ryan Jack, Ross McCrorie, Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara and Steven Davis aren’t outright no. 10, and that is where Rangers need to add reinforcements.
Gerrard himself had acknowledged this fact in November last year when he said, ”We have those (creative) players here but what we haven’t got is a natural No10, someone who is described as No10 and that’s his job. So maybe in the future that might be an area we might look at.”
The Gers didn’t manage to get their hands on an outright no. 10 in January, so we expect them to go after a playmaker in the summer transfer window.
Why would Powell have been an ideal signing?
The 26-year-old likes to operate in between the defence and midfield lines and he has been outstanding for the Latics in the last two seasons. He contributed with 23 goals and 15 assists over the previous two seasons and helped Wigan win the League One and get promoted to the Championship.
Powell also has that physical presence which allows him to play as a secondary striker and his intelligence in the final third often makes the difference. Finding an outright no. 10 is never easy, but Powell has all the necessary attributes. Most importantly, he can link up play well and contribute with a decent number of goals.
A blow for Gerrard?
Losing out on him is a big blow for Rangers, and the fact that he was available on a free transfer made him an even more exciting prospect. Powell also has the experience of playing at the top level with Manchester United.
He didn’t find much success with the English heavyweights, but he was highly regarded when he joined them as a youngster. Sir Alex Ferguson had even claimed that Powell could go on to fill Paul Scholes’ shoes.
