McAvennie Tips Rangers Striker To Depart Club This Summer: Why Gerrard Mustn’t Cash In? | OneFootball

In an interview to Football Insider, ex-Premier League striker Frank McAvennie has tipped Rangers forward Alfredo Morelos to find a move away from the Ibrox Stadium in the upcoming summer transfer window. The former West Ham striker has also conceded that despite Morelos’ fantastic quality as a footballer, he’s unlikely to attract a transfer fee as big as the one that Odsonne Edouard of Celtic might command. He then went on to tout the Colombian to succeed at a club like Everton, given that he’s able to keep his raging temperament in check.

Although McAvennie has tipped Alfredo Morelos to leave Rangers this summer, Steven Gerrard is unlikely to let him go without a fight. Speaking on the matter, the former Celtic man said, “I think he will move, but Stevie Gerrard and Gary Mac are good pros and they will not let him go for the sake of it. He is a very good player and they would want him in the team. Morelos is a great player but his temperament is what lets him down. I do not think he would get away with that in England. He is not worth as much as Edouard though. They will make money on him but they will not get £40million for him. I think he would do well at somebody like Everton but his temperament is the issue.”

What Has Morelos Contributed To This Rangers Team?

The forward arrived from Finnish side HJK Helsinki in January 2017, as the Gers looked to regain their place as one of the two biggest sides in the Scottish top-flight. One thing that can be said about the Colombian with utmost certainty is that he knows how to put the ball into the back of the net.

The striker didn’t need too much time to settle into life in the Premiership, and once he did, it looked like a match made in heaven. In his first full season at the club, the forward notched up a stellar return of 14 goals and six assists from 31 Premiership appearances.

In the season after that as well, the Colombian ensured to maintain the same level of standard, picking up and an even better tally of 17 goals and eight assists from 27 outings in the league. This time around though, the forward hasn’t been able to reach the same heights that were expected from him following the last couple of seasons. Despite starting off looking strong, Morelos’ form began to dwindle in the second part of the season, at which point the Gers dropped off the pace that was being set by the league leaders Celtic.

What Attributes Do Morelos Bring To The Table?

The Colombian striker is still only 24-years-old but has proven on multiple occasions over the last couple of seasons that he has got what it takes to perform consistently at the highest level. A willing runner off the ball, the Colombian makes his living by utilising his predatory instincts inside the opposition’s final third. The forward is among the deadliest finishers in the whole of the Premiership, and his tireless work off the ball simply cannot be underplayed as well. Taking the striker out of the Gers’ squad would leave a gaping hole, and replacing him would be quite the task indeed for Gerrard’s side.

McAvennie Has Tipped Alfredo Morelos To Leave Rangers: Why Gerrard Cannot Sell Him

The upcoming Premiership campaign is assured to be a historic one, irrespective of the eventual result. A Celtic victory would mean a tenth straight record-breaking title, while a Rangers triumph would be history repeating itself, like back when the Celts denied Rangers their tenth consecutive league win all those years ago.

One thing that can be said with certainty is that Morelos’ departure will warrant the addition of a new striker at Ibrox, and finding one as prolific as the Colombian will be a challenge. Moreover, with Jermain Defoe now entering into what could be the final years of his career, depending on the Englishman entirely could be a recipe for disaster. To that end, at least for the upcoming season, Gerrard simply cannot afford to sell Morelos.