Football Season Guide

Genk are hoping to build on their top-six finish from last season and, with coach Clement seen as one of the most impressive specialists in the league, he was voted Manager of the Year for 2017/18 by his colleagues, the Blues have high hopes. So far this summer Clement parted ways only with one regular, that said Colley was by far the best centre-back in the squad last term. Despite that the gaffer seems happy with the options he has and, instead of looking for new signings at the back, he hopes that Dewaest or Brabec will be able to form solid partnership with the undisputable starter Aidoo. Genk have just one typical right-back on their books, Clinton Mata didn’t return after his loan ended, and at the minute this is seen as the team’s main weakness. That said three players are currently being tested and before the transfer window shuts new signing should be made. Both Berge and Heynen spent most of last season sidelined, but they are back to full fitness now and, with Seck, Malinovsky and Pozuelo the outright starters, Genk seem to have one of the most impressive midfield lines in the league. The gaffer also paid big money for the young Ghanaian playmaker Paintsil and gradually he is expected to become one of the stars of the team as the season progresses. Trossard hopes to have an injury-free campaign, with the left winger scoring a goal every other game when fit. Ndongala also hopes to shine after making his loan a permanent move this summer. Up front four strikers are competing for one starting spot, with Karelis and Samatta the two most likely choices, while Gano and Ingvartsen are much taller strikers that could be useful late in matches when Genk need to go route-one in search of goals. The general feel is that Genk have plenty of talent in their ranks, plus one of the most impressive managers in Belgium, but the fact that some of the best players have bad record of injury problems and the absence of decent cover in defence suggest that Genk might not be just there yet in terms of challenging for the title.