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Anderlecht discovers new turntable: ‘Top five in Belgium’

From hero to zero and back? Adrien Trebel has certainly not missed the start of the new competition. Thanks to two assists and one goal in three games, the Frenchman promoted himself to the pivotal figure at Anderlecht, where there was no future for him for a long time. But at the moment Trebel is actually one of the most defining players of the Belgian league.

LEGACY OF COUCKE

Between two and three million euros: that would concern the annual salary of Adrien Trebel at RSC Anderlecht. A legacy of the operational management under Marc Coucke, and cleverly closed by broker Mogi Bayat, but which unfortunately could not be rejected by the current policymakers. So Sporting was also this season stuck with an expensive and redundant midfielder, who incidentally played barely four league games last season. Moreover, Trebel was originally not in the top drawer of Vincent Kompany, who wants to introduce his own vision of total football to the Lotto Park.

No, the marriage between Trebel and Anderlecht would not end happily. The Purple & White was stuck with a big earner who did not justify such a generous fee in terms of playing minutes and sporting added value. Then rather sell out, but only a few clubs that can afford the high wages of the Frenchman. For a while there were some slopes in the Middle East, but they eventually died a silent death. The fact that Trebel also recovered from knee surgery in the off-season did not help his hoped-for departure immediately.

TREBEL DOES NOT COMPLAIN

The red-haired midfielder did not let it get to his heart. Trebel continued to work hard on his return in the shadows, but again there did not seem to be a great future for him in Neerpede. Trebel didn’t whimper, didn’t complain, and dutifully continued to act like a super pro. Trebel has an iron mental strength, because he already successfully returned after an operation on the abdominal muscles.

Under the wings of renowned physiotherapist Lieven Maesschalck, Trebel worked overtime at Move To Cure and eagerly shared his efforts on social media. Remarkably, Trebel’s rehabilitation coincided with that of Landry Dimata. In bad times you get to know your friends and since then a true ‘bromance’ has grown between the two Anderlecht players.

VERBEKE AND VERCAUTE PRO-TREBEL

During his rehabilitation it became increasingly clear that Trebel would not play a leading role in the Purple-White shirt this year either. After he was finally declared fit by the medical cell, Trebel came into action during the preparation for the new season. Although with the so-called B-team of the Brussels fanion, the experienced midfielder never fell out of tune in the practice campaign. Logically, the question also grew louder as to whether the 29-year-old could not play a more prominent role in the young Anderlecht team.

In the first league match against KV Mechelen, the then head coach Franky Vercauteren had no place for Trebel. Not on the field, and not on the bench. Although. Reportedly, Vercauteren – and also Peter Verbeke – saw problems in a rehabilitation of the dynamic midfielder, but then player-inspirator Vincent Kompany was not eager to do so. Not in itself because of Trebel’s sporting abilities, but because of the low price / quality ratio of the French. And also because of its character – remember the protracted corona negotiations – which would be too frank. Too fair, but also very popular in the dressing room.

TOP FIVE JUPILER PRO LEAGUE

In the AFAS Stadium of KV Mechelen, Trebel was still completely slumped in the stands. Busy on his cell phone, with bare feet and casually wearing his face mask. One week later he was in the starting team against Sint-Truiden. A big surprise, of course, but Trebel was by no means disappointed. He even provided an assist to the goal of Landry Dimata, his buddy during that heavy rehabilitation. It could hardly get any more symbolic. In the subsequent league matches against Mouscron and KV Oostende, Trebel never disappeared from the starting team of Anderlecht. Trebel scores points and conquers hearts.

The first may already be taken literally, because Trebel is already good for three decisive actions this season, which resulted in a total of three goals. This makes the previously considered redundant midfielder currently even one of the most decisive players in the Jupiler Pro League. Only Marius Noubissi (Beerschot VA, 4), Xavier Mercier (OH Leuven, 4), Gianni Bruno (Zulte Waregem, 4) and Raphael Holzhauser (Beerschot VA, 5) were still more decisive in the current season than Trebel. The French actually grows into a pivotal figure in Lotto Park.

MORE DEEP THAN ZULJ AND SAMBI LOKONGA

Anyone who will play Trebel in recent matches will certainly be able to agree that not using the midfielder is pure waste of money. By setting up Trebel, Anderlecht can, for example, put more pressure on more preserved opponents, and he also has a great value in capturing the ball. There is also more dynamism and drive than with say Peter Zulj, although Trebel is not immediately a pure ‘six’.

Compared to Zulj and Albert Sambi Lokonga, Trebel has a more natural urge to move forward, while the aforementioned duo rather focuses – through Vincent Kompany’s tactics, of course – on defensive work. This is evident, for example, from the number of offensive actions that Trebel can present per match. Among all the central midfielders of the Jupiler Pro League, he is in a handsome fifth place in that part. In terms of accuracy in the progressive passes, Trebel is even the primus of this year.

KOMPANY CONTINUES

Adrien Trebel therefore played in the grace of head coach Vincent Kompany in the short term, and is gradually becoming almost indispensable for the team. Especially considering his two assists and one goal. Kompany therefore lets the sporting take precedence, with which he actually supports the original set-up of his predecessor Franky Vercauteren and Head of Sports Peter Verbeke, who reportedly wanted to use Trebel earlier.

In particular, Trebel’s rigid attitude during the corona negotiations about the players’ salary contributions was not okay with Kompany. Within the club, some thought that Trebel’s good relationship with his broker Mogi Bayat, with whom Anderlecht would rather not do business anymore, was a bit too open and therefore almost provocative. Last Monday, Trebel was in the stands of Mambourg, where Charleroi and Antwerp were partying. Trebel sat fraternally next to Mogi Bayat in the stands, while only 25 spectators were admitted – including the board of both clubs. Better pay attention, Adrien.


POLL: Is Trebel one of the best midfielders in the JPL?

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