Axel Witsel (22) is one of the few Standard Liège players to remain from the 2009 championship-winning side. Elected Player of the Year in 2008, he’s now a much better all-round midfield performer. Witsel was often in Steven Defour’s shadow but in Defour’s absence he’s emerged recently as a leader in his own right. He is best known in the UK for his horrific tackle on Marcin Wasilewski. Witsel is not that type of player and his game suffered – as did Wasilewski’s – for almost a year after the incident. Now he’s back and performing like the class act he is.
Thibaut Courtois (19) came into the Racing Genk side at the beginning of the season as he was the only fit keeper on the books. He’s played every game since then and recently his series of saves in the dying minutes of the match with Standard Liege made Genk champions. He’s reputedly been watched by Manchester United and rumours circulate that Chelsea have made a firm offer. Courtois stands 6’ 4 ½” tall and he’s already a commanding presence in the area. Belgium has a rich history of keepers – Michel Preud’homme and Jean-Marie Pfaff to name but two – and it would be no surprise if Courtois was one day mentioned along with those names.
Abdou Camara (19), Standard Liege’s Senegalese enforcer has sprung to prominence in the last couple of months. Replacing the injured Steven Defour, he’s been a tower of strength in front of the back four. Camara even stayed in the side when Defour returned, with Axel Witsel being pushed further forward. This writer sees a lot of the young Patrick Vieira in Camara; he could go all the way and is one for the future.
Steven Defour (23), a regular with Genk when he was 17 and Standard Liege’s captain aged 19, Defour is made for the Premiership. Sadly, he’s had a string of injuries in recent years and he’s earning a reputation for being injury-prone. That’s rather unfair as he’s a leader, a fighter and a winner. I thought he would have to wait another year before any transfer would be realised but Spartak Moscow could be a surprise destination.
Romelu Lukaku (18) is mature for his years and handles himself well in the public eye. Thrust into the limelight last year in Anderlecht’s championship-winning season, he’s now found himself in a poor team with a multi-million price tag round his neck. He’s immensely strong, promising and over-hyped. There’s pressure on his club to sell to rebuild and that could mean he leaves sooner than he’s ready.
Kevin De Bruyne (19) is a diamond in Genk’s midfield. Along with Courtois, he was responsible for taking Genk to the championship. He’s strong, intelligent and he’s been the architect behind many of the goals scored by Marvin Ogunjimi and Jelle Vossen. His mother lives in the UK and the Premiership could be his natural home.
Jelle Vossen (22) was a player that Genk tried to unload at the beginning of the season. Then he was rehabilitated by Franky Vercauteren and went on a brilliant run of goals that took Genk to the top of the table. He seems to be heading for Serie A but he’s quick and strong and a natural goal scorer. He’s only had one good season though.
Yassine El Ghanassy (19): on his day, one of the most talented players in the Jupiler League. However, rumours of interest from Manchester City seemed to turn his head at the beginning of the year. Since then his form has dropped and Anderlecht, once keen, now seem to doubt his temperament.
Yaya Soumahoro (21); the Ivory Coast winger arrived in the Jupiler League by a circuitous route, via Bangkok. He was a cult figure with Muangthong United before a move to Ghent. He’s one of the cleverest players in the league and at the moment he looks more suited to the Premier League than Yassine El Ghanassy.
A word of warning
Jelle Van Damme (27) left Anderlecht for Wolves at the beginning of the season. Seemingly tailor-made for the Premiership, the move was a failure. Played out of position, his wife (Kim Clijsters’ sister) did not settle in Wolverhampton and the birth of his first child meant that the family wanted to return home. Without him, Anderlecht were not the same team and after he joined Standard Liege, Les Rouches started on their excellent run of victories. A leader on and off the field, Van Damme should act as a warning – not all moves succeed; it’s not just a matter of football.