"Capable of getting fans off seats but..." What Sheffield United can expect from transfer target Rabbi Matondo
Sheffield United are interested in former Rangers star Rabbi Matondo
Manchester City academy graduate Rabbi Matondo is on Sheffield United’s radar as a potential acquisition this window, after the winger has been told he is free to explore opportunities elsewhere by his current club.
Matondo, who is currently playing for SK Brann, has failed to make an impression in Norway after playing just 30 minutes across three appearances.
The Welshman has played the majority of his football for Rangers, where he spent four years and appeared on 70 occasions. It was a spell that was riddled with injuries.
Matondo was allowed to leave Ibrox in March of this year, upon the completion of his contract. The 25-year-old was one of Rangers’ highest-earners during his time there which meant they struggled to offload him up until his deal expired.
Lewis Anderson, who covers Rangers for our sister title GlasgowWorld, described Matondo as a player who “primarily operates on the left-hand side and likes to cut inside onto his favoured right foot, but he can also play on the right flank or as a second striker, so he would bring versatility, in addition to his blistering pace.
“He's all speed, I must say. He's got lots of tricks in his arsenal. He’s quite a direct winger, likes to take on his opponent. He's capable of getting fans off seats, but at the same time, he can frustrate the life out of you.
“He's that type of player. You just don't know what you're quite getting with Rabbi Matondo. On his day, he's more than capable of banging in ten or 12 goals consistently each season. But he hasn't had that run of things for a good number of years.”
Reflecting on his time in Scotland, as per The Herald, Matondo explained: "I had a tough time at Rangers, and I never reached my potential there. Every single season was basically ruined by various injuries. Now I just want to stay injury-free and able to play football. If I can do that, I know I will find the rhythm and confidence.”
Matondo has played in the Championship before, during a loan spell for Stoke City in the back half of the 2020/21 season. The forward made 11 appearances and scored once.
Anderson continued with why Sheffield United may be a good fit for Matondo, adding: “I think people actually forget he's only 25 years old. He's still got time to kind of turn things around.
“I think you just need someone to put an arm around his shoulder at this moment in time. Someone who's really going to get the best out of him, and perhaps Chris Wilder is the man to do that.”
The winger has been a consistent figure in the Welsh national team since 2018, being called up as recently as May.
“We were, from a Scottish media perspective, slightly surprised that he's been continually called up to the Welsh squad in recent times, given his lack of game time,” Anderson admitted. “That was a pleasant surprise, but he is clearly rated highly.”