Morelos Contract Situation: Time Rangers moved on? Or can Beale get ‘El Buffalo’ back?

Morelos Contract Situation: Time Rangers moved on? Or can Beale get ‘El Buffalo’ back?

Alfredo Morelos’s contract is due to expire this summer and most fans had decided it was best for both parties to move on. However, an upturn in form under Michael Beale has seen the possible return of the best version of Alfie and has left fans debating whether the Colombian has rediscovered his old self and should be given a new deal.

SHOULD HE STAY OR SHOULD HE GO?

The thought of Alfredo Morelos leaving Rangers used to fill the fans with fear. Every transfer window the fans would worry that he would be snapped up, irrespective of interest from clubs such as Sevilla and the confirmation of a £16m bid from Lille - a welcome cash injection into the club, the fans were delighted when we resisted any offers and Alfie remained at Ibrox.

At times in his Rangers career, Alfredo Morelos has carried the club, often being the main man. A few seasons ago he looked to be our only hope of a goal in some games and in the instances that he was not available for selection, the side looked like a shell of themselves and struggled in his absence.

RANGERS ALL-TIME TOP SCORER IN EUROPE

Alfie has given us some memorable moments on the European stage. Vital goals away against sides such as Porto and Feyenoord and the roof-raising late winner against Lech Poznan saw Alfie surpass Rangers goalscoring legend Ally McCoist to become Rangers all-time top scorer on the European stage. Alfie would also become the first player to ever score 14 goals before Christmas in a UEFA competition and the third all-time top scorer in the competition at the age of 25, surpassing his own idol Falcao in the process. His 2019/20 Euro campaign was remarkable as he bagged 14 goals from 17 appearances.

Morelos also scored a vital brace against Sparta Prague to send Rangers into the knockout stages of the Europa League, he helped himself to goals against Dortmund away and Red Star and really should have scored the winner against Dortmund if not for a horrendous decision by the official on the night.

It is almost criminal that he ended up injured for our biggest final of recent times in Seville as I think the majority of fans will feel if he had been on the park we would have been crowned Europa League Champions.

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IT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN GOOD TIMES WITH ALFIE

His spell in Scotland has undoubtedly had a frustrating side, some of it has been poor decision-making from Alfie, immaturity, and unprofessional, and he has missed crucial games for us due to indiscipline or returning late from international duty, but there is no question Alfredo Morelos is held to a different standard in this country by officials and the media. Only this week he was branded an “idiot” for doing his trademark celebration in front of Hearts fans who had directed abuse at him all night. Celebrating in front of goading opposition fans happens every week in football and it is astonishing that the remark actually came from a former Rangers employee. He has had Aberdeen fans abuse his mother in a banner and a guest pundit on Hibs TV claiming he should be “chopped to pieces”.

Many players would have been gone by now, unwilling to tolerate the abuse, but Alfie remained. Rangers fans stuck by him through thick and thin despite many probably screaming “I’m done with him” at some point. He has had as big a rapport with the fans as anyone in recent memory, often the recipient of the loudest cheer, when team news is announced at Ibrox or unknowingly giving out a dozen-odd birthday, shouts to kids at half-time.

Rangers have given Morelos the platform to perform in Europe, with international recognition coming, albeit not as frequently as he would have liked. More important to Alfredo is the financial ability to provide to the less fortunate residents of his hometown of Cerete, Colombia through the Alfredo Morelos Foundation. Alfredo has provided funds to allow low-income families to get ahead, providing presents to children at Christmas. An inspiring gesture that is often overlooked by critics of Alfie.

REJUVENATED UNDER BEALE OR HAVE WE SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE WITH ALFIE?

This season fans seemed to have lost their patience with the Colombian and felt it was best for both parties if he moved on. Despite being the focal point of the Rangers team, Alfie has let the club down on occasion.

Often accused of being overweight, late returns from international duty, disciplinary issues, and regular dips in form for large parts of some seasons have caused some fans to feel that enough is enough with Alfie.

However, an upturn in form under Michael Beale’s management has caused a divide among fans as to whether Buffalo deserves a new contract.

Morelos form has improved under Beale (source: Sofascore)

Simply put, Alfie when on form is the best striker at the club and terrorises opposition defenders. He isn’t the most prolific of goalscorers, often lacking in composure and missing several sitters before scoring the hardest of the lot, but his hold-up play is second to none. Morelos’s style of play is perfect for Michael Beale and when surrounded by players such as Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi, Todd Cantwell, and Malik Tillman you have to imagine his numbers should increase. The Colombian has also begun to strike up a partnership with Fashion Sakala in recent weeks and all of a sudden we are looking threatening from several areas of the park.

To replace an on-form and fit Alfie would cost the club a fortune, he has been an absolute steal for £ 1 million. You are also taking a gamble on a new signing, as opposed to the lesser gamble of knowing what you could possibly get from Morelos if he rediscovers past form. To lose an on-form, focused, and fit Alfie for free is mismanagement by the club.

It could be argued Michael Beale appears to be getting the best out of Morelos with his recent displays and past performances with Beale’s coaching period under Gerrard being arguably when Alfie has been at his best. Or have we seen this movie before with Alfie and it is simply the “new manager bounce” or even the Colombian putting himself in the shop window to potential suitors in the summer?

BUFF’S RECORD UNDER BEALE, GIO, AND GERRARD

In Michael Beale’s first ten league games Alfie has scored six goals and assisted three times, he has had a big hand in our build-up play and is back to looking as close to his best as we have seen for a while.

Morelos under Beale (source: Transfrmarket)

Although, Buff had a similar record under GVB and Steven Gerrard.

Alfie had seven goals and three assists in the first ten games he featured in Gio’s reign, missing three in the process due to international commitments, a period that saw Rangers lose crucial points in the season.

Morelos first ten games under GVB (source: Transfermarket)

For context, the last ten games under GVB saw Alfie’s output drop dramatically. Granted, GVB was failing to get a tune out of the entire squad at the end up, but Alfie’s lack of game time, mood, and fitness contributed to the Colombian only recording two goals and one assist in Gio’s last ten in charge. Let’s be honest, Alfredo has to shoulder the blame for his own condition, he should have shown more professionalism in this time as he appeared to have chucked his toys out of the pram. Yes, he was injured for a long period and never had the luxury of a pre-season but its now February and he is still finding his fitness.

Morelos record in GVB final ten games in charge (source: Transfermarket)

Could it be that lease of life we hear of all the time under new management? or is there something to the Beale and Alfie relationship? Under Steven Gerrard, Alfie had a decent start with five goals and five assists in his first ten games, but as the table shows he continued that form under the watch of Gerrard and Beale and everyone knows this was the period of Alfredo’s career where he was unplayable for Rangers.

Morelos at the beginning of Gerrard’s tenure (source: Transfermarket)

FORMER PLAYERS HAVE THEIR SAY

Barry Ferguson claims Alfie has begun to “mess with his head”. He believes the striker is worth the trouble he comes with as when he is on his game there “isn’t a striker in the league that even comes close”.

“If you don’t believe me then just ask the Hearts defenders who were taken apart by him on Wednesday night. They’ll be the first to admit that, when he’s in that kind of mood, he’s just about unplayable. And that’s why I’ve reached the point where I’m tearing my hair out with him.”

Barry doubted if Alfie’s heart was in it until he saw his display against Hearts.

“What I do know is that when he plays like that he’s almost impossible to replace. Centre forwards of that quality simply don’t grow on trees.”

Former Rangers hitman Kris Boyd disagrees and believes Alfie should be offering more, whilst admitting he is “Rangers most effective forward”.

Boyd suggests Rangers would thrive without Morelos and criticised his lack of goals in the league.

Boyd said “In the Premiership, there has been only one campaign — his second in Scotland — when he hit more than 15 goals.

In the Premiership, Morelos’ tallies have been 14, 18, 12, 12, 11 and nine so far this season. Antonio Colak helped himself to 11 goals inside three months after joining last summer. In my time at Ibrox, my league totals were 17 from 17 appearances in 2006, 20 from 32, 14 from 28, 27 from 35, and 23 from 31.”

Whilst it could be argued to be a fair criticism, it is also important to note that Alfredo Morelos has never taken a penalty in the league whilst Kris Boyd scored several. Yes, by any means, a goal is a goal, they all count, but I feel it is important for context when some are quick to highlight it when James Tavernier’s numbers are spoken of.

Kris Boyd penalties in league (source: Transfermarket)

IS HIS LEAGUE GOALS A CONCERN?

Alfie isn’t one of the most prolific scorers in the league as shown below, he should be scoring more goals in a Rangers side, I think we can all agree on that.

Morelos league return (source:Fotmob)

Nonetheless, in the time Alfredo Morelos has been in Scottish football only Odsonne Edouard scored 20+ goals in a single season. Celtic’s Kyogo is on 18 for the season and should break the 20 mark, our own Antonio Colak had eleven before his injury and looked like a good shout to hit 20.

It is hard for a player outside of the Old Firm to hit 20, players like Shankland and Nisbet have decent goal returns and possibly could hit the 20 mark in an Old Firm side, however, Celtic’s Moussa Dembele failed to hit 20 and arguably their best striker at the club now Giakoumakas will not either. Our best striker of recent times until Morelos arrived was Nikica Jelavic, and he never hit the mark either.

In the years prior to Alfie’s debut and with Rangers out of the league, players such as Adam Rooney, Scott Sinclair, Liam Boyce, Kane Hemmings, John Sutton, Kris Commons, Stevie May, Michael Higdon, Billy McKay all hit the 20 mark, are we to believe these players are better than Alfie? No.

Too much has been made of Buff’s domestic return. He has played in Rangers sides with lesser attacking quality than others who have also failed to hit 20 goals a season in the SPFL.

Since 2000/01, only Kris Boyd (2008/09, 2009/10) and Kenny Miller (2010/11) have had 20-goal seasons. Again, without the penalties, Boyd would have only scored 20 in one season.

Boyd has been eager to critique Alfie’s fitness and contribution, yet Kris was never trusted to play the “big” games himself at Rangers, he was criticised in a similar fashion to Morelos for his lack of against Celtic and largely noticed for his goals against the “fodder” of the league so it could be argued that he, more than most should be empathetic and encouraging towards Alfredo.

I have no doubts that surrounded by more fluent and attack-minded players Alfredo could and should hit that mark for Rangers.

DOES BUFF DESERVE A NEW CONTRACT?

He is moody, he has baggage as has been referenced, and can be frustrating to fans and management. We are right to question if he is deserving of a new deal, has he earned the right to be a top earner at the club? In the past, yes, without a doubt but are we at a level now where we need a consistent striker capable of 20 league goals a season, is Alfie capable of that? In recent times he has looked like a shadow of himself, he looked half-arsed about being at Ibrox and towards Gio’s end I was advocating for him to be sold for any sort of fee before we lost him on a free.

Under Michael Beale he has looked sharper, he is eager to play and is scoring and linking up with his team-mates. If he can get back to full fitness and firing, surrounded by a better calibre of player than in recent years then there is no reason why Alfie can’t get back to being the crabbit, misunderstood rogue we all love and hitting the minimum 20 league goals a season that every Rangers striker should be achieving. He may possibly have not bought into Gio or his style of play (like many) and it affected his mentality/professionalism but he has the chance to achieve again with the club if he really wants it.

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Fans have been encouraging the club to sign him up with reduced terms, but that isn’t going to happen. Does he deserve to be one of the top earners? On form and fit then why not? Is this current surge in form a way to prove he still has the ability to be the main man at Ibrox or is he going to earn a new deal and revert back to previous dips and issues? That’s the decision the club has to make in the summer, I am glad I don’t have to make the decision but I trust Michael Beales judgement. Alfie needs to prove his worth all over again and begin to give us consistency over a season if he wants to remain a top earner. The ball is in his court as far as I’m concerned as Beale has indicated he wants him to stay.

If indeed ‘El Buffalo’ is back, can we really afford to not give him a deal as we would likely have to fork out millions to find an adequate replacement?

I believe Morelos is still a gamble worth taking at the right price.