Motherwell have confirmed the arrival of Devante Cole from Wigan on an initial six-month loan.
The son of Manchester United legend Andy, Cole is an attacker who can play throught the middle or on either side of a striker. He is the Steelmen’s seventh signing this transfer window.
If Motherwell can deploy him correctly, then he’ll be a hit during what looks to be a short stint in claret and amber.
Cole could strike an unlikely attacking partnership with Declan Gallagher at Motherwell
Whilst he is classed as a striker, he shouldn’t be the man tasked with becoming Motherwell’s talisman. He’s just not that type of player. Instead, Stephen Robinson should play him where Jake Hastie played last season, on the flanks.
The Well youngster left Fir Park in the Summer for Rangers. Robinson has had the task of finding his replacement. He has that answer in Cole, albeit a short-term one.
Cole’s biggest asset is pace. Put him in a foot race with some of the quickest in the league, Cole will be around the top somewhere. He’s very direct. When he gets the ball, he turns and runs at the defence.
He does exactly what Hastie does when deployed on the right. He runs at defenders, cuts inside and tries to find the net. He’s the type of flair player with a bit of a selfish edge the Well need.
Interestingly, a partnership between him and new centre-back Gallagher may work a treat. Gallagher’s former side Livingston had the second most long passes in Europe last season, something the departed Livi centre-half played a big part in.
Gallagher has shown in pre-season that ability to knock it in behind the defence from his own box, ‘route one’ if you will. With the pace merchant that is Cole, this could become the unlikeliest of threatening attacking forces. Gallagher sends it long, the new Well attacker runs in behind.
If Robinson plays him correctly, Cole will be a good signing for the Well.