With the transfer window closed, here’s a ‘quick’ look at all 16 sides, together with their ‘top man’, ‘one to watch’ and their ‘biggest loss.’ It should be a very open season with Anderlecht and Club Brugge likely to be the two fighting it out for the top spot – during the playoffs of course.
The sequence of the clubs is based on their league positions as of the end of the classic season, 2010-2011.
Anderlecht
Despite receiving over €30 million in transfer fees in the last six months, Anderlecht have not spent heavily. They’ve brought in Milan Jovanovic, Dieumerci Mbokani and Ronald Vargas: three players who could be major successes … or not! It’s a big squad that does not lack creativity. Concerns exist at the back and there are intriguing questions to be answered.
Top man: Lucas Biglia (makes the team tick)
Biggest loss: Romelu Lukaku (in more ways than one)
One to watch: Fernando Canesin (18 year-old Brazilian heading for the top).
Racing Genk
It’s ironic that Kevin De Bruyne, Marvin Ogunjimi and Jelle Vossen are still at the club while Franky Vercauteren has taken the petro-dollars. The loss to injury of Torben Joneleit is a blow but Genk have made a number of defensive purchases. With transfer talk still in the air, Mario Been’s motivational skills will be tested in the league.
Top man: Kevin De Bruyne (still in Chelsea’s sights)
Biggest loss: Thibaut Courtois (on Chelsea’s books)
One to watch: Anthony Limbombe (getting ready for De Bruyne’s departure)
KAA Gent
Gent have a large squad with over 30 players fighting for a place. Finding the right blend won’t be easy and the team lacks a natural finisher. With Yassine El Ghanassy, Christian Brüls and Yaya Soumahoro in the squad, the football should be attractive. Trond Sollied has fixed ideas and is not afraid of implementing them.
Top man: Yassine El Ghanassy (if he can be consistent)
Biggest loss: Stef Wils (returned to Westerlo).
One to watch: Hannes van der Bruggen (regular in Belgium U19 team).
Club Brugge
Eleven new players in the summer. Tipped for success, initial results have been mixed. The defence has leaked goals and Bjorn Vleminckx has not shown Eredivisie form. Niki Zimling looks solid in midfield though and the club has many promising youngsters. A good squad but the best team has not emerged.
Top man: Lior Refaelov (talented international from Maccabi Haifa)
Biggest loss: Ivan Perisic (to Dortmund)
One to watch: Thomas Meunier (from division 3)
Lokeren
A top six finish last year but a poor start: 4 points and 3 goals in 5 games. The good news is that full back Kataku Tshimanga is still at the club despite Genk’s overtures. Ivory Coast keeper Barry ‘Copa’ is the best-known player and the midfield is packed with experience but – again – the problem lies with the strike force.
Top man: Kataku Tshimanga
Biggest loss: Jeremy Perbet (allowed to join Mons)
One to watch: Alfred Finnbogason (if he gets a chance).
Standard Liege
The team’s heart has gone with the loss of Witsel, Defour and Carcela. With eight new arrivals, places are up for grabs. Franck Berrier is talented, but fitness questions remain. The team had a good result in Europe but the quality is not what it was. The new management team has a honeymoon period, but it won’t last long.
Top man: Jelle Van Damme (Mr. Motivator)
Biggest loss: Axel Witsel (in his prime)
One to watch: Michy Batshuayi (17 year-old striker).
KV Mechelen
Last season, KV Mechelen seemed to play twice a week every week due to postponements. This year, they’ve started well and will be hoping for a top six finish. Captain Julien Gorius remains a key player and – needless to say – they lack a true finisher: Kevin Vandenbergh has not looked the answer so far; Denis Alibec has arrived from Inter.
Top man: Julien Gorius
Biggest loss: Yoni Buyens (Standard’s gain).
One to watch: Denis Alibec
Westerlo
Westerlo have lost Paolo Henrique and Christian Brüls and that could mean a hard season ahead for Jan Ceulemans’ team. He has received some loan players from KAA Gent and they will be sorely needed. To replace Henrique, Westerlo have brought in William Owusu (from Cercle) and Gent’s Shlomi Arbeitman. Early results have been disastrous.
Top man: Jef Delen.
Biggest loss: Paolo Henrique
One to watch: Arnaud De Greef (young defender, snatched from Anderlecht).
Cercle Brugge
Cercle Brugge – always the poor cousin to the ‘Club’ – have started the season with three wins in five. Bob Peeters has stopped people talking about his predecessor Glen De Boeck and has a promising future. There are no real stars but ‘Rudy’ and Renato Neto should be prominent. Peeters believes in youth and will give them a chance.
Top man: Renato Neto (creative in midfield)
Reynaldo (back to Anderlecht).
One to watch: Gregory Mertens (teenage centre back).
Kortrijk
Unlike several clubs, Kortrijk have a number of strikers to choose from. Although Dalibor Veselinovic and Pablo Chavarria may not have the level to be regulars at Anderlecht, they should appreciate playing time on loan at Kortrijk. Hungarian international Peter Czvitkovics brings creativity to midfield and the squad is well balanced.
Top man: Yassine Peter Czvitkovics
Biggest loss: Sven Kums (now at Heerenveen).
One to watch: Pablo Chavarria (classy striker).
Zulte Waregem
With a relatively new coach who favours the long ball technique, Darije Kalezic, in charge, Zulte Waregem will be hard to beat. Zulte will be looking to Moussa Maâzou (returning to Belgium after spells in France and Russia) to put the ball in the net. A recent purchase has been Belarus international Mikhail Sivakov. Mid table beckons.
Top man: Steven Colpaert (once linked to Anderlecht)
Biggest loss: Khalweem Hyland (to Genk)
One to watch: Moussa Maâzou
Sint Truiden
A poor start led to Guido Brepoels dismissal; harsh given his record and youth policy. Now Franky van der Elst is in the hot seat and he has work to do in defence. Koen Daerden has arrived on loan from Standard hoping to resurrect his career; Robin Okotie has come in from Nuremburg. A tough season is expected.
Top man: Peter Delorge (captain).
Biggest loss: Denis Odoi (full back, to Anderlecht)
One to watch: Robin Okotie.
Beerschot
The club has a new management structure and a new name: K Beerschot AC. The team is evolving and initial results have not been good; one win to-date. A lot will depend on Hernan Losada, never the most consistent of players. This is another club lacking a regular finisher. Coach Jacky Mathijssen will want to put past failures behind him.
Top man: Hernan Losada (now off the Anderlecht payroll).
Biggest loss: Mats Rits (why did he never get a chance at Beerschot?)
One to watch: Stijn Stijnen (just to see what happens)
Lierse
Lierse just hung on to first division status last season. They are now coached by Chris Janssens (42) who hung up his boots a couple of years ago. The team could struggle although the defence has been stiffened. The problems are in attack where Wesley Sonck may have past his sell-by date and Thomas Radzinski is no longer around.
Top man: Elji Kawashima
Biggest loss: Thomas Radzinski.
One to watch: Mohammad El Gabas
OH Leuven
Newly promoted Leuven splashed the cash to bring in Club Brugge’s Karel Geraerts. He’ll bring in a wealth of experience to midfield and he’s not afraid to speak his mind. Leuven also have ex-Manchester United midfielder Floribert Ngalula. Up front, ‘Chuka’ is expected to deliver the goals. Staying up will not be easy.
Top man: Karel Geraerts
Biggest loss: Hamdi Harbaoui (was leading scorer in division 2, to Lokeren)
One to watch: Thomas Azevedo (first season in top division after joining from Lommel).
Mons
Newcomers Mons are unbeaten after five games. The club paid €300.000 for Lokeren’s Jeremy Perbet and it’s been money well spent: five goals to-date. Pape M’Bow has arrived from Marseille and will be watched closely. Mons – one of two Walloon clubs in the league – has the lowest budget of all (€5.5 million) so any success will be an achievement.
Top man: Jeremy Perbet
Biggest loss: Mustapha Jarju (to Canada)
One to watch: Pape M’Bow