He had not started a meeting since October 19, 2022, in Mechelen, and that he started in Kortrijk, his former club, must have been special. But Gilles Dewaele, victim of a rupture of the cruciate ligaments of the knee, evacuated the sentimental side, with a smile: “It would have been also special for me at Westerlo or at Cercle Bruges (his former clubs).”
The most important thing for the right-back was not the symbolism on Saturday night, nor the past, but the future. Informed on Friday that he was going to start in place of Marlon Fossey, Dewaele said he was ready, not nervous, and Carl Hoefkens judged his performance – 70 minutes – “very good”. He was indeed good at his defensive work, and tried to show off, offensively. But there’s no point in rushing things, especially when you’ve come from so far away.
For eight months, Dewaele worked behind the scenes, to heal himself and then get back on his feet. From the stands – “match days were the most difficult times” – he followed the evolution of the team, last season, and the rise of Marlon Fossey. He wasn’t worried, he said. “I’ve seen some very good games from Marlon, but since the start of the preparation I’ve been putting pressure on him, showing that I’m there. The competition is friendly, but let’s say another competition is starting for both of us. “
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I’m ready for everything
Competition, in the core, Dewaele spoke about it a little more broadly, to say aloud what some people think quietly or say in half. “We need reinforcements to bring competition to certain positions, where it is sometimes too easy.” The right-back didn’t say there was no quality in the core but he did state the observation that everyone sees: “Five, six or seven players have left, and those who have arrived have qualities. We have to do better with the core we have, but we also feel that we need a little more. The players, the coach, we are aware of that, but it’s not us who decide, it’s is above (Editor’s note: management, and therefore 777 Partners).”
Relaunched at a press conference, Carl Hoefkens, he reiterated that he was waiting for the end of the transfer window to take stock. Between now and the closing, on September 6, there will be the reception of the RWDM, this Saturday, then the international break. Dewaele prefers to project himself on the next match, which he hopes to start again, rather than on “things for which we have no control (the transfer window)”.
Focused on his future, he is also not afraid of the hollow that players who are victims of a cruciate ligament rupture can experience, a few months after the recovery – he had an ice pack placed on his knee, as a precaution. , after replacement. “I’m different from the others,” he smiles, before adding more seriously: “I’m ready for anything that can happen to me.” Combative, Gilles Dewaele is back. And if he can at least inspire one or the other, it will always be that.
2023-08-27 09:21:00
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