Steven Defour clearly did not miss his start as head coach of KV Mechelen. The former Red Devil delivers strong collective work by taking 6 on 6 in his first two matches, but Defour also improves the players individually. Like Julien Ngoy, for example, the skilled attacker who was still very much in the interest of Antwerp FC last season.
ANTWERP DOUBTS
Julien Ngoy was wanted wild on the transfer market last summer, because he did just excellent at KAS Eupen for two seasons. The interest of various clubs soon followed: Venezia, Dinamo Zagreb and Sporting Charleroi were lurking for the skilled attacker, but Antwerp FC also threw a line. According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the club management of the Great Old even discussed a pre-contract with the entourage of Ngoy, who was also at the end of the contract Am Kehrweg.
The fast attacker caught the eye with his high degree of technique, frivolity, speed and impressive physical qualities. Jan Van den Bergh (Beerschot VA) was in last season, among others Gazette of Antwerp particularly praising Ngoy. He then named him as one of his toughest opponents of the season. “Perhaps not the most famous, but a very good striker. He combines power with speed and technique. All three at a very high level”, says Van den Bergh.
Julien Ngoy played an important role at KAS Eupen in the previous two seasons and he proved why he was in the interest of Anderlecht, Standard and Cercle Brugge in the 2018-2019 season. A transfer to Antwerp FC in the previous interim season would have been a logical next career move for Ngoy, had it not been for his unimpressive stats. His lack of scoring ability will undoubtedly have been a breaking point for Antwerp.
KV MECHELEN BENEFITS
But not for KV Mechelen, which brought him in for free last summer. “Ngoy had also been on our list for a while. We didn’t think he would be feasible because there were the necessary rumors about Antwerp. There have been changes and in the end we were able to convince Ngoy to choose us”, explained the then technical director Tom Caluwé about the transfer from Ngoy to Mechelen. And especially under Steven Defour he really comes to the fore.
Julien Ngoy is known as a quality attacker with a great work ethic, but also one who is not very profitable in the standards of goals and assists. But if he gets a lot of confidence, he is capable of a lot. And that is the case under Steven Defour. The recently appointed coach of KV Mechelen pumped grinta into the squad and he once again gave his players loads of confidence – not least Ngoy. The result: Ngoy has already scored two goals in two matches under Defour.
“That’s mainly the merit of Steven Defour”, said Patrick Goots Gazette of Antwerp, after the match against KAS Eupen. “The outburst of Julien Ngoy, who even claimed a penalty, is an example of that.” Ngoy missed some big chances against the Pandas last weekend, but he was in good shape. “He kept track of the balls well and he was threatening”, Defour agreed. “He still dared to take that penalty and did it very well. He has clearly instilled confidence.”
THE HAND OF DEFOUR
And also a week earlier, Julien Ngoy had already scored a goal against Standard. Back then, the attacker only scored one goal in ten matches, and that dramatic statistic began to weigh heavily on him. Ngoy’s goal against the Rouches was enthusiastically received, with the substitutes and Steven Defour sprinting across half the field to celebrate Ngoy’s goal. “As long as we took points and I didn’t score myself, there was nothing in the air. But as we piled up the defeats, people started to look at me more,” said a relieved Ngoy. Gazette of Antwerp.
As an assistant coach, Steven Defour already had a soft spot for Julien Ngoy, and in recent weeks he has given his striker a good feeling and a lot of confidence. 2 goals in 2 games under Defour: finally Ngoy seems to be making a comeback and his stats are getting better. Work points that prevented Antwerp FC from bringing Ngoy to the Bosuil, but which Defour is clearly taking care of Behind de Kazerne. A feat by the coach of KV Mechelen. A sign of great sporting and technical expertise, together with a wealth of experience at the top level and a large dose of people management.
“Is he now free? Well, a striker is judged on his goals, but we as a staff look at it differently,” said Steven Defour in Het Nieuwsblad. “We have never had any complaints about his work ethic and efforts. I thought Julien handled that pressure quite well. He has always worked hard.” Ngoy will never become a pure or clinical finisher, but Defour is clearly pointing him in the right direction to achieve respectable stats as a striker. And they will undoubtedly have seen that at Antwerp FC as well.
Bet and watch top football live at Unibet.be
