Training: The Forgotten Strength of Liège Clubs

In the Pro League, Standard and Eupen could face each other in playdowns just after having done so on the last day of the classic phase.

In the Challenger Pro League, FC Seraing could fall for a second year in a row. The SL16 could accompany him, even without needing the flick of his A team if the Standard also came down.

And in Nationale 1, Visé, red lantern for many weeks, is practically already condemned to relegation.

Terminus, everyone gets off as the fiery city finally sees the end of the tram construction site.

Is it a coincidence to find such a group shot from Liège? Not entirely. Standard, Seraing and Visé have another thing in common: they are no longer really from Liège. Standard is American, Seraing is French and Visé attempted a collaboration that was as surprising as it was unsuccessful with the Jamaicans this season.

Training, the forgotten strength of Liège

We will not write that all this is the fault of foreigners. There are examples of success and not all investors do anything when they decide to buy a club in our Kingdom. But the bosses in the Liège clubs have forgotten/neglected what has always been the strength of mainland football: training.

The province of Liège has always provided many excellent footballers. This is still the case today but they are no longer found in the Principality. Apart from Arnaud Bodart, who is undoubtedly living his last season on the banks of the Meuse, there are no more local managers. This is even more true in Seraing where the core of poor Mbaye Leye looks like nothing, between inexperienced Senegalese talents and by-products of FC Metz. In Visé, the players even went on strike because the Jamaicans were no longer putting in money after having provided players who did not have the level.

To exist, a talent from Liège often chooses to “expatriate”. With the case of the phenomenon Ilyes Bennane, who became the youngest Belgian international in history last week, as an illustration: he preferred to leave for Genk at the age of 9 after only one season in the Standard team.

FC Liège is the only Liège clearing in the first three divisions. The promoted player can still dream of the playoffs for promotion to the Challenger Pro League. But training remains a major project for the Sang et Marine. Will the Americans who bought the club a few weeks ago make the same mistake by prioritizing import/export over investment in local youth? Will they have the patience to look at the wheat that grows where others try, without success, avenues for quick returns?

2024-02-25 08:06:00
#Christophe #Frankens #column #terminus #Liège