Steven Gerrard can be happy with his summer transfer business and after completing the deadline day deal for Bongani Zungu, he has the strength in depth needed for a title challenge.
Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan has praised the signing of the South African as Rangers look to win their first Premiership title since 2011.
So what has Whelan said?
When asked if he thought that the Zungu deal was money well spent, he said:
“I think it was a necessary signing.
“You cannot have enough strength in depth in that central area. Steven Gerrard knows more than anyone else that control comes from the heart of the midfield, it is so important.
“It is vital to have strength in depth in that position for what is going to be a demanding season. There has already been injuries and there will be more injuries and suspensions to deal with so they need back up.
“A really shrewd signing by Rangers. He will add quality to their midfield.
“They’ve done some great business this summer and it was needed if they had any aspirations of competing against Celtic. They needed players in while also keeping their quality players.”
So is Whelan correct?
Gerrard had been looking for a midfielder all summer and having been linked with Zungu earlier on, the recruitment team was obviously playing a waiting game so that they could get their man at the right price.
Do Rangers have the depth needed for a title challenge?
Yes
No
Rangers now have a variety of options in the middle of the park and won’t be reliant on Steven Davis to play every game, Zungu offers a similar range of passing to the veteran but with a greater level of physicality.
In the last couple of seasons, Gerrard’s side has ran out of steam in the title chase but with a squad packed full of internationals – even with injuries – the drop off in quality is nowhere near as big as it has been previously, but only in May will we truly know if he has got the recruitment right.