Rangers could sign their answer to Pedri as target likened to Barcelona superstar
07/04/2024 02:00 PM
Imagine, if you will, a footballer with the ruthlessness of Ronaldo, the creativity of Andres Iniesta and the passing range of Pedri.
You’d have one hell of a talent on your hands. Generational, even.
Now, whether the reported Rangers target ever develops sufficiently enough to be mentioned in the same breath as three great players from both the present and the past, only time will tell.
But every time anyone in South Africa opens their mouths and discusses the virtues of young Relebohile Mofokeng, the excitement surrounding his potential arrival at Ibrox grows.
In truth, things have gotten a little quiet since the Scottish Sun reported – nearly two months ago – that Rangers were closing in on a deal for a 19-year-old also on the radar of Al-Ahly, Wolverhampton Wanderers and renowned talentspotters Red Bull Salzburg.
Mofokeng has been urged by some – including South Africa manager Hugo Broos – to stay put and continue his development at Orlando Pirates.
But for every cautionary tale comes another who feels that the twinkle-toed teenager would benefit from a move that would see him compete against higher-quality players in a higher-quality competition.
Rangers linked with Relebohile Mofokeng
See Kagisho Dikagcoi, for instance, the former Fulham, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City enforcer who earned the majority of his 54 South Africa caps after crossing over to European football.
Speaking to Far Post, Dikagcoi is in no doubt that Mofokeng ‘could play in Europe’.
After previous comparisons with a Barcelona icon of yesteryear – the legendary Andres Iniesta – he now highlights the similarities between Mofokeng and the Blaugrana’s current playmaker extraordinaire.
“It's the way Mofokeng has been performing,” Dikacgoi argues. “There is hype, obviously, about him going to play overseas and stuff. But I think if he can keep working hard and remain grounded, I think in the near future is one player who can perform there at that level.
"He got those attributes of Pedri. It's just a matter of time that I think he can do well depending on the fact that he keeps improving on some aspects of his game."
Like Iniesta and Pedri, Mofokeng has a habit of drifting out to the left and pulling the strings with his trusty right boot.
While he may be more of a midfielder than a forward, comparisons with Brazilian hero Ronaldo emerged after Mofokeng bamboozled the Mamelodi Sundowns defence to slam in a brilliant winner during Orlando Pirates’ Nedbank Cup success in June.
South African whizzkid likened to Barcelona star Pedri
The youngster’s father, meanwhile, feels Mofokeng would be best served following in the footsteps of South Africa great Steven Pienaar.
Pienaar made his name at Ajax before establishing himself as a fans’ favourite at Everton.
"I'll be honest – and Rele knows (my opinion) – I am praying that he can get a team in Holland," Sechaba Mofokeng says, via SNL24.
"I said that he will only spent two years there (in the Netherlands) before moving to a big team. Holland is the best development country. I'll make an example and say Steven Pienaar. He went to Holland. That's what I am praying for, for my son.
"If it happens that he gets a team elsewhere, I will be happy. But I told him he would only be there for two years and then he must get a big team.
"Then, I will be the happiest man in the world."
