Club Brugge coach Ivan Leko has reportedly lost confidence in both wing-back options, with sources indicating he trusts neither Hugo Siquet nor Bjorn Meijer to consistently perform in his preferred system. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, as reported by VoetbalBelgie, Leko has “nauwelijks krediet” (little credit) for Siquet, while his confidence in the Dutch international Meijer also appears limited amid ongoing concerns about the team’s defensive width.
The situation has developed amid a series of defensive challenges for the Belgian champions. Recent match reports show Siquet struggling to meet Leko’s tactical expectations, with the Croatian coach reportedly frustrated by what he perceives as inadequate execution of defensive duties. VoetbalBelgie’s April 22 report quoted Het Laatste Nieuws stating that Leko “ergerde de trainer zich aan enkele mindere prestaties van de back, alsook aan het feit dat hij de taken van Leko onvoldoende naar behoren uitvoerde” (the coach was annoyed by some poorer performances of the back, as well as the fact that he did not sufficiently carry out Leko’s tasks).
Meanwhile, Meijer’s physical limitations have develop into a recurring theme in Leko’s decision-making. The same VoetbalBelgie article noted that “de Kroaat zou het veel minder in Siquet zien dan in Meijer, hoewel de Nederlander het dus fysiek lastig heeft” (the Croat would witness much less in Siquet than in Meijer, even though the Dutchman is physically struggling). This suggests Leko may be weighing Meijer’s tactical familiarity against his current fitness limitations when selecting his starting wing-backs.
The wing-back dilemma comes at a critical juncture in Club Brugge’s season. With European competition ongoing and domestic title challenges ahead, defensive stability remains paramount. Leko’s apparent lack of faith in both primary options could force tactical adjustments or opportunities for alternative players.
Alternative solutions appear to be under consideration. VoetbalBelgie’s report mentioned the possibility of deploying Joaquin Seys on the left flank while using Siquet as a right-back, though this would require significant tactical reconfiguration. Seys, who primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, has seen limited minutes in defensive positions this season.
The situation is further complicated by recent injury setbacks within the squad. Walfoot reported on April 12 that defensive injuries have left Leko with limited options, stating that “Kyriani Sabbe en Carlos Forbs hebben moeten verlaten het veld na een botsing” (Kyriani Sabbe and Carlos Forbs had to leave the field after a collision). Sabbe suffered a severe ankle sprain that will keep him out for 6-8 weeks, effectively ending his season, while Forbs is expected to return sooner following additional medical evaluations.
These defensive absences have increased pressure on the wing-back positions. Walfoot’s report noted that “Monté au jeu à sa place dans le Limbourg, Hugo Siquet devrait recevoir plus de temps de jeu dans les prochaines semaines, même si Joaquin Seys en Bjorn Meijer ook van kant kunnen veranderen” (Coming on in his place in Limburg, Hugo Siquet should receive more playing time in the coming weeks, even though Joaquin Seys and Bjorn Meijer can also switch flanks). This suggests Leko may be considering positional flexibility as a solution to his personnel challenges.
Club Brugge’s official team selection for their Champions League match against Marseille on January 27, 2026, included both Siquet (number 41) and Meijer (number 14) among the available options, confirming both players remain part of Leko’s squad despite the reported confidence issues. The selection also featured Seys (number 65), lending credence to the idea that he could be utilized in alternative positions if needed.
The wing-back situation reflects broader challenges Leko has faced in maintaining defensive consistency throughout the season. While Brugge remains competitive in multiple competitions, the apparent lack of trust in his primary width options could influence tactical approaches in upcoming fixtures, particularly against teams that exploit wide areas.
As the season progresses into its decisive phase, Leko’s handling of this positional dilemma may prove crucial to Club Brugge’s ambitions. Whether he continues with his current options, experiments with positional conversions like Seys at wing-back, or seeks other solutions will likely depend on upcoming performances and the team’s immediate needs.
Stay tuned for updates on Club Brugge’s defensive selections as the team prepares for its next fixture.
