Football Season Guide

Anderlecht had a frustrating last season that also saw them changing managers midway through the campaign and the record Belgian champions will want to bounce back strongly this term. The experienced coach Vanhaezebrouck is just having his first proper transfer window at the club, he was appointed just before Christmas and January came too soon for him to have too much of a say, with his main goal this summer being to improve the depth of his squad. Vanhaezebrouck definitely succeeded in that department as just 2 of the 14 players that have departed so far were regular starters, while the expectations are that at least 5-6 of the 13 new names signed up to now will be getting lots of football. The young French goalie Didillon is the likely new preferred starter between the posts, while Mbodji will have new partner in the heart of the defence with both Milic and Vranjes arriving to the club with solid reputation and impressive stats. In his previous club Vanhaezebrouck used to play with three at the back a lot and the signing of two new centre-backs suggests that he might be considering similar formation for some of the games as the season progresses. That said Anderlecht are using predominantly 4-2-3-1 in their friendlies so far and this seems to be the first-choice system for the start of the campaign. The signing of Makarenko means that now three very solid holding midfielders will be available and this should be great cover for potential injuries and suspensions. Anderlecht also strengthened down the wings. Saief’s successful loan spell in the spring was made a permanent move this summer and he is expected to be the regular down the left flank, but also all of the newly signed Musona, Bakkali, Adzic and Abazaj are wingers and the depth in these areas look really impressive. After a shaky previous campaign the lethal just two seasons ago striker Teodorczyk should remain the preferred starter up front, but the arrival of the tested in the Belgian league natural goalscorer Santini provides Anderlecht with an excellent alternative. The last season’s Golden Boot winner Thelin also might stay as a third choice centre forward after returning from loan, while Dimata is a striker that can be very useful in games against stronger teams. All in all Vanhaezebrouck seems to have at least two very good players competing for every position on the pitch and this should give Anderlecht edge as the season progresses.