After two match days, the teams from the Champions’ Play-Offs appear to be quite evenly matched. Only one more match resulted in a difference of two goals or more. This has to do, among other things, with the quality in the striker position of the six participants.
The teams from Play-Off I all have at least one decent to good striker. At KRC Genk, Tolu Arokodare has already received a lot of criticism this season, but he finally seems to be paying off well in the new game system. Igor Thiago has been dry for a while at Club Brugge, but it is not without reason that he was transferred to Brentford FC for a huge amount.
Leader Union SG can count on an invigorated Gustaf Nilsson this season, with Mohamed Amoura in his support. RSC Anderlecht (Kasper Dolberg and Luis Vazquez) and Antwerp FC (Vincent Janssen and George Ilenikhena) even have two nice options for the number nine position. But the most productive deep striker is at Cercle Brugge.
Denkey Limited
Kévin Denkey is well on his way to being crowned Golden Bull this season. The Togolese international has already scored 25 goals in 30 competition matches. He also links that scoring ability to the necessary physical qualities. Denkey seems to be preparing for a nice transfer during the coming summer trade.
Yet not everyone appears convinced. “The figures contradict me, but I am not a fan,” says analyst Olivier Deschacht There. “I expect more from a striker than just goals: he must also be a point of rest. That is not Denkey. He does not keep track of the ball and he does not hand it over. Because he does not see it, or because he does not have the feet for it I wonder if he would suit Club Brugge or Anderlecht.”
Better Dolberg
When asked who he thinks is the best striker from the Champions’ Play-Offs, Deschacht points to his ex-club. “Then give me Kasper Dolberg. That is the best. There is an idea behind everything he does. Moreover, he makes others play better football through his handball and his vision. I do not see those qualities in Denkey,” said the ex-defender . The Danish international of Anderlecht currently has 13 goals in 31 competition matches. Since the beginning of December, he has only been able to strike three times.
