Fortunately for Rangers fans he gets nicknamed Tassos. Reports have came from Greece linking Rangers with an €8m move. The FC Utrecht striker impressed this season as he finished joint top scorer of the Eredivisie with nineteen goals. The 23-year-old Greek forward looks set to leave the Netherlands this summer window with interest heating up in recent weeks. I wrote about him when he was first linked last month, let’s have a look at what Tasos Douvikas can add to Rangers.
The Numbers
As previously mentioned, he finished top joint scorer in the Eredivisie, scoring the same amount of goals as former Rangers target Xavi Simons. These were his numbers from last season;
- 32 Appearances (24 Starts)
- 19G/4A
- 113mins Per Goal
- 0.8 Goals Per 90
- 15.7 xG
- 24% Goal Conversion Rate
A terrific season for Douvikas and it’s easy to see why Rangers are interested. He managed these numbers averaging only 67 minutes per game as his importance to FC Utrecht grew as the season went on. Almost a goal a game is incredible at any level, and converting one in every four shots is also elite level striking performance.
Add in to that, he outperformed his xG by over three goals, this guy is the real deal when it comes to being a goal scorer. At only 23-years-old, his ability to be in the right place at the right time will only improve with experience and maturity. He’s a player that could thrive with the amount of chances this Rangers team creates.
Playstyle
A completely different player from the only forward signed so far in Sam Lammers. Douvikas is more your typical number nine, much more like Kris Boyd than Alfredo Morelos. I’ve already discussed his excellent finishing ability and the numbers showcase that well enough.
He isn’t going to be the type of player to link up the play and have assists in double figures. That isn’t his strength and not what Rangers would be buying him for. His first touch is where he gets a lot of his goals from, he likes to control the ball and get shots away quickly, which often catch defences or goalkeepers off guard.
He’s six foot tall but not a particularly aerially dominant forward (winning only 42% of aerial duels per 90), he is strong, powerful and uses his body well when duelling defenders but he is definitely not a target man. Although predominantly right footed he isn’t afraid of taking shots on with his left, which again helps catch defenders and goalkeepers off guard.
He is very clever with his movement. Often effectively peeling off of the last defender and allowing to him run through one on one with the ‘keeper. Positionally, he’s great at knowing where to be to get a goalscoring chance. Whether that’s driving into an area of space or hanging back waiting for the ball to drop.
He is the type of player that Rangers need this summer, a pure out and out goal scorer. Combining his finishing ability with the creativity Rangers have added between January and this summer, he could definitely hit Kris Boyd numbers of goals at Ibrox.
How Close is His Move to Ibrox?
This is what the report from Greek outlet novasports.gr had to say on the move;
Transfer reports about Tassos Douvikas continue and even on the island and in the Netherlands they say that developments may be immediate.
Specifically, Rangers are determined to submit an official proposal to Utrecht for the Greek centre-forward, with the amount he will deposit amounting to eight million euros!
The Scottish team’s interest has been known since late last month, while Douvikas has also been checked out by Galatasaray and Gladbach.
novasports.gr
The fee quoted is money I’m not sure Rangers will spend on one player this summer. Especially with Lammers arrival and the Cyriel Dessers deal reportedly being close. I do think he would be excellent for Rangers but at a reported £6.8m, I just don’t see this one happening.
My Opinion
For Rangers to progress they need a striker who is capable of hitting the twenty goal mark and this hasn’t been the case in recent years. Douvikas is a clinical finisher and definitely someone who would be a match winner for Rangers. As mentioned above though, for the price quoted I just don’t see Rangers being involved in this transfer battle.
Conclusion
Tassos Douvikas would be an excellent addition to the Rangers forward line. Unfortunately, I’m not sure the club can afford to splash out this kind of money on one player this window. Rangers are in the midst of a full squad revamp, so unless major player sales happen I think the club will be priced out of this deal.
At only 23-years-old this could be a player trading model type of deal. Again though, I’m not sure Rangers can take the risk with the kind of fee being quoted. What do you think about this move? Would you like to see Rangers splash this kind of money on one player? Or do you think the club should be more conservative and use the money elsewhere?
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