Who’s On Rangers Radar: Jonathan Panzo

With the Rangers defence coming under fire recently for individual errors, that may be an area Michael Beale looks to strengthen this summer. Ben Davies has come in for some harsh criticism in the last two games considering how well he’s played the rest of the season but it could still be worth having another left sided CB in the squad. Recent rumours have linked Coventry’s Nottingham Forest loanee Jonathan Panzo to the club. So who is he?

Name – Jonathan Panzo

Age – 22

Nationality – English

Position – CB/LB

Club – Coventry (Loan from Nottingham Forest)

Capable of playing left back or left centre back he has impressed for Coventry this season with them now in contention for the play-offs. He is comfortable on the ball and likes to drive forward before passing it on. Similar in play style to Ben Davies in that he likes to pass through the lines and get the team up the pitch and just as strong in the tackle. The upside he has to Davies that is that he stronger in the air, physically at least, an attribute which has caused some of the criticism aimed at Davies recently.

His defensive numbers are very impressive;

• 1.9 Interceptions Per Game
• 1.5 Tackles Per Game
• 57% Total Duels Won (4.2)
• 55% Ground Duels Won (2.1)
• 60% Aerial Duels Won (2.1)

His interceptions number show how well he reads the game, currently the only Rangers defender with >1 interceptions is Borna Barisic and he’s 0.9 per game behind Panzo currently. As clever on the ball as he is off it he offers exactly what is expected of current Rangers CBs in being able to come out with the ball and pick out accurate forward passes.

He’s started twenty-three of his twenty-seven appearances this season and helped his team to thirteen clean sheets in those games, impressive in such a competitive league. He’s also managed to contribute one goal and one assist in these games.

It’s currently unclear what kind of fee Forest would expect for him, they only bought him last January and it’s looking like they could be relegated so will they be keen to hold on to a young English talent? There’s also the chance if Coventry get promoted they want to make the transfer permanent, these are all factors which won’t be decided until the end of May.

Would you like to see Panzo arrive at Ibrox in the summer? What kind of fee would you be happy with the club paying for his services?