According to Chris Jack, Leon King is expected to quit Rangers “for the good of his career” and may do so this summer.
Having made only four fleeting appearances this season, the 20-year-old might be among the many defensive possibilities that Philippe Clement is leaving behind, the writer speculated during the March 20 Rangers Review Morning Briefing.
As Leon Balogun becomes 36 in June, Jack thinks he won’t be granted a contract extension and that Ben Davies will likely be sold, but young King will also likely be moved.
“I think Leon King probably moves on as well, another one for whom it’s just not worked out,” he said (14 minutes and 35 seconds). He’s had both happy and challenging times.
“I just don’t believe it’s worked out, and for the sake of his career, he’s just another guy of a certain age who needs to go play football.
“He cannot play another season as a member of the squad and get the occasional five to ten minutes if he is not going to be the Rangers’ first choice. That is not necessary for Leon King at this point in his career. It is better for him to move on.
Will Phillipe Clement leave the Rangers Academy product behind?
King will need a lot more football at his age than he has played with the Light Blues this season, totaling only 14 minutes in four games [Transfermarkt].
That is a significant drop from his 23 appearances during what seemed to be a breakthrough season last year, although one marked by challenging circumstances.
It’s debatable if certain harsh performances during Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s injury issue during the miserable Champions League campaign eventually had a negative impact, but his growth has unquestionably regressed this season as the team has recovered under Clement.
As sad as it will be to see another academy product go, the homegrown player most likely has to go on if the Belgian isn’t persuaded that King can be among the best first-team possibilities.
However, if he were to draw a fair charge, it would just be profit, which would go into Clement’s summertime plans for business. Additionally, English loan interest from the previous summer may indicate a long-term market.
In principle, King would have the best chance to move up the ladder if Davies is sold and Balogun isn’t given a longer contract, but it’s perhaps arguable that he hasn’t shown enough to warrant it.
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