Recovering the title was undoubtedly too high a goal but after eleventh place last season, Anderlecht has regained contact with the best clubs. Jesper Fredberg will therefore want to keep the best elements of his core. But it’s easier said than done.
If it is certain that Zeno Debast will look elsewhere, many other players are still immersed in uncertainty at Lotto Park. Kasper Dolberg is expected to stay at the position, but aside from Luia, there are still a lot of question marks for Fredberg in terms of departures. For example, his other compatriot Anders Dreyer could pack his bags.
Work for Fredberg
In addition, CEO Sports, who will have to free up space in the squad anyway, still has to make a decision regarding loan players such as Thomas Delaney, Ludwig Augustinsson and Federico Gattoni. If all three are ready to extend their stay in Brussels, it remains to be seen whether an agreement will be reached on this subject.
But the most urgent files are undoubtedly those of Kasper Schmeichel and especially Jan Vertonghen, whose commitments will soon expire. The two experienced players, both absent on Sunday against Antwerp due to injury, do not want to make a final decision on their future before the European Championship.
Anderlecht attends
In doing so, they put Fredberg in a difficult position, according to Het Laatste Nieuws. Indeed, in order to arm the selection for the European qualifiers that the Mauve et Blanc will probably compete in, he must complete his homework as soon as possible. And if he finishes second, Anderlecht will even have to get back to work at the start of August.
“Barely three weeks after the end of the European Championship,” notes the newspaper. If he remains stuck in third place, the European adventure will not begin until two weeks later, but even then, Fredberg would prefer to get an answer from Schmeichel and Vertonghen today rather than tomorrow. According to several media, it is almost certain that the first will not sign.
Replace Vertonghen?
Anderlecht therefore already seems to be looking for a replacement, with Koen Casteels at the top of the list. According to HLN, Anderlecht is also looking for an alternative to Vertonghen, who may have already played his last match. But Vertonghen himself hinted that he could extend his contract for another year.
2024-05-24 21:00:00
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