Football Season Guide

Finishing in second place in back-to-back seasons is simply not good enough for Anderlecht and logically the summer brought a managerial change in the team. Rene Weiler was the mastermind behind Nurnberg’s great campaign in Bundesliga 2 last term but now he will be taking a much more challenging task as the goals laid in front of him are winning the title and also qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League. So far this summer Anderlecht haven’t lost any crucial players and at the same time the new gaffer signed at least three new names with potential to be regulars. Anderlecht were arguably the most consistent team last season and only the few cheap goals they conceded denied them the possibility to win the title. For that reason Weiler already signed new centre-back and new right-back and hopes are that the defence will be much better. The fact that the regular goalkeeper Proto was allowed to leave on a free transfer means that the 22-year-old Roef is finally ready to be the new regular between the posts, although some late rumours link Purple and Whites with two goalkeepers and a future transfer is a possibility. The situation with the team’s hot players also will have to be monitored closely as at the minute all of Tielemans, Dendoncker, Praet and Okaka are attracting a lot of interest and some of them might leave. For now though they are available and Anderlecht look hot favourites for the title. In front of the new number one the back four should be Appiah, De Maio, Mbodji and Obradovic. With plenty of cover options the situation at the back is predicted to be much better this season. In the middle of the park Defour has a cemented spot, with Tielemans and Dendoncker the two hot prospects battling to partner him. The 4-2-3-1 formation will be completed in the forward positions by Najar, Praet and Hanni, while centre forward Okaka is tipped as favourite to win the Golden Boot if he stays. The fact that the likes of Acheampong, Chipciu, Conte, Sylla, Hassan and Lukebakio are also options come to show what amazing depth Anderlecht are having. Weiler will have to adapt his coaching style though as he is known to prefer more counterattacking football, but the fans and everyone in Belgium won’t accept Anderlecht sitting deep and not being the aggressors. This might be an issue in the early rounds, although the pre-season displays have been very impressive.