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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Alfredo Morelos was entirely missing from a training match against Welsh outfit TNS today, with Steven Gerrard turning to Jermain Defoe and Greg Stewart in each half.
Rangers reported on the club’s official website that the Gers ran out 1-0 winners against the Welsh champions, with Defoe netting the only goal of the game.
The eleven who started the match looks pretty close to a full strength Gers side and it’ll be interesting to see whether that’s the team that the Ibrox boss goes with in next week’s Europa League qualifier against St Joseph’s of Gibraltar.
A reason hasn’t been declared for Morelos’ absence, but the fact he hasn’t taken part in one of the last team tune-ups ahead of competitive action will raise eyebrows and once against ignites the debate about who Rangers’ first choice striker actually is.
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On the chalkboard
Morelos was undoubtedly the main man at Ibrox for most of last season, but after a red card at Celtic Park and subsequent suspension, Jermain Defoe came into the team and didn’t give up his place in the side when the Colombian returned until the very last day of league action.
Defoe scored three goals and assisted three times in his six starts after that day at Celtic Park, combining expertly with supporting players like Scott Arfield.
It’s form that makes him a viable choice to start the coming season as first-choice in the position still, with question marks about Morelos’ temperament and discipline rumbling on since that fateful day against the Hoops.
Gerrard played Defoe, Morelos and Stewart in three 30-minute periods against Mansfield at the weekend, but with the 22-year-old dropping out against TNS, the Premier League legend now looks likely to get the nod next week.
Morelos is a quality finisher, but as former Ibrox striker Kris Boyd pointed out last month, the partnership that Defoe built with Arfield was superb, with Boyd also claiming that the Colombian “plays a lot for himself”.
Does Gerrard also consider Defoe to offer the team more with his all-round game?
All eyes will be on the first team sheet of the season when the Gers kick off their 2019/20 campaign.
