Not sure what to make of the Aribo links. From what I've seen he looks defensively decent, strong and good in the tackle so logically a Romeu back up or replacement. He's ponderous though, leggy, and seems to have really slow feet for a modern midfielder. Seems to barge his way forward rather than dribble. Others seem to comment on his great feet but if he looks slow footed then he is. I'm not sure how he'll cope in the EPL, I guess our new head of recruitment knows what he's after though!
How is Aribo a Romeu replacement? He is a attacking Midfielder! And more likely to play in one of the 10 roles.
"The former Charlton man has given the Rangers midfield more creativity as instead of trying to run through brick walls, he tries to play through them. In a season which has seen him score eight times and contribute four assists in 36 appearances, Aribo has shown great intuitiveness when it comes to executing passes in tight areas and support play. Another aspect of his game that has differentiated him from his colleagues this season is the way he patrols the edge of the box. He is not content with just playing a square pass; he is always looking to change the angle of attack and play a disguised pass to the feet of a team-mate. However, one might suggest he could improve with regard to creating chances for his team-mates. With his return of just four assists this season, the south Londoner ranks 11th for accurate passes into the final third per 90 minutes, for players with 10 appearances or more, but falls 15 places in key passes per 90 minutes. Aribo has featured as a central midfielder on 25 occasions and has appeared as a right winger on 15 other occasions this season, and his technical brilliance and vision has proven key in Rangers’ attacking opportunities alongside the likes of Ianis Hagi and Ryan Kent. While he hasn’t quite hit the same goalscoring numbers of Alfredo Morelos, Gerrard recognized the importance of the 24-year-old starlet after a 4-1 victory over Dundee United. “He was fantastic today, not just for his goal but his running power, his quick feet and the way he outplays the opposition. He is a fantastic kid, you can’t get him off the training pitch, he’s always working on his game. He decided to come to Rangers to develop and grow and he is certainly moving in the right direction. There is no surprise that he is getting a lot of good performances in his game right now.” Joe Aribo has certainly impressed, and long may it continue but there are certain aspects of his game he needs to work on in addition to chance creation, such as heading and defending. Rangers had struggled to cut open teams as they lacked someone with the requisite invention, imagination and agility — all qualities which the Super Eagles star has at his disposal." https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/player-analysis-joe-aribo/
Like I said before, he looked pretty decent on the occasions I watched Rangers last season and created a few chances and that was against Celtic and in the Euro final. I'm look forward to see him in a Saints shirt if he signs for us.
I was just making observation on what I've seen in his style of play. He's looks more like a Romeu than a Redmond (to use examples from close to home). Not suggesting he will be used there.
These are usually great analyses. This is what I was referring to when I said others have mentioned quick feet but I don't see that so much when I look at his match clips. He looks to have great timing with his dribbling so that could be what enables him to weave through the lines rather than fast feet. Having a left sided mid and a left sided LB will give us a different approach or having KWP cutting inside from LB and a left footed Aribo outside him will be a different threat again. Options we have lacked till now. No more driving to the line and cutting back onto the right foot.
I'm quite lucky in that a good friend of mine is a long-term Charlton season ticket holder and goes to all the aways too. He absolutely loves Aribo and was excited when he saw The Athletic's report on Tuesday night as he's long said he should be playing in the Premier League and that he thinks he's got more growth in his game here than in the SPL. He said that Aribo can play and has played as a 6, 8 and a 10 but is at his best as an 8 with licence to advance or as a 10 with the responsibility of linking things up and getting the team out on the break. He singled out his best traits as his close control, his dribbling and his strength and security in picking up the ball on the transition and getting his team up the pitch before playing the final ball or shooting. He likes a left-footed whip shot inside the far post and isn't shy about mucking in defensively/closing down. The only other person I'd really associate that style of play with is Stu and we all know that we desperately need another Stu, just to keep defences earnest and due to his well-documented injury history. If we can get them on the pitch together it won't be as easy for teams to try and shut down our transitions and will also help if one of SA/JA is having an off-day. At the moment it feels a bit like if Stu isn't on his game, then the drop off to the other options is significant and we have no one who plays the same way. I think at £10m he's worth a go, plus the age profile is still good for us. I remember when he left Charlton he had Premier League opportunities and Lee Bowyer (then Charlton boss) criticised him for heading north of the border. (although how much of that was down to compensation reasons I'm unsure of...) If we get this one and Lavia done then we are shaping up to actually have some decent midfield options - crucially in terms of different moulds of midfielders - for the first time in a long while.
and that’s the key; EPL!? At £6M I suppose worth a gamble but it’s a big jump imo. Yes VVDick, Stu but ……
Football is about entertainment Our summer transfer window is either genius or madness That’s entertainment COYR
I suppose at least we're not in the "sell to buy" boat anymore. We're getting on with business fairly quietly and with what looks like a clear strategy. Let's hope the strategy bears fruit. Dragan appears to be walking the talk. I'm positive!
I think Aribo unfortunately fails the eyesight test in the gangly stakes. He’s got long legs and it can have that Peter Crouch effect of him looking uncomfortable or uncoordinated. I think players with that kind of build often are penalised for their appearance. His output is really high, both in statistical output and the appraisals of those who have worked with him. He also fits that profile in that he was a young player who had to go to non-league to get a shot and had had to work his way up. Again it’s pretty indisputably a sensible transfer, we have no idea if all these pieces will knit together cohesively into a side that gets wins.
The player that always impressed me when watching Rangers in Europe was Calvin Bassey in defence. He was immense in some of their games, especially the semi-final. Massive heart, aggressive and strong - all of which we lack in defence.
