It was not difficult to read between the lines to understand that the Croatian coach is preparing the ground for next season, when he added: “In Aiden's absence (O'Neill)we have no other profile to keep the balance in the middle (Editor's note: Merveille Bokadi, at the end of his contract and who can help out in the industry, is no longer part of management's plans to finish the season after he said he was injured).” The Australian, injured in the ankle following a bad reception against Ghent in the classic phase, and out until the end of the season, is in fact the only player who presents the qualities of a real recuperator in the core current.
Standard: 777 Partners is waiting for payments for the takeover of the club and… Real Estate
Relaunched this Friday at a press conference on the theme of the environment, Leko confirmed its search for next season: “We need a number 6 who brings power, who has a defensive instinct. Steve (Alzat) doesn’t have this profile, neither does Hakim.” Sahabo, trained in a number 8 position, helps out more in this role in front of the defense, like other players, in other positions, like Isaac Price when he has to be shifted to the right side.
We need a more balanced core, a number 6 who brings power and defensive instinct.
“I appreciate that the players are making the effort when it is not their place, but we will have to have a better balanced core next season”has already warned Leko, who will have a say in recruitment. During the interview he gave before the start of the playoffs, Fergal Harkin, the sports director of Standard, explained that the transfer window was looking for defenders and central attackers. He had not specified that he was looking for a mid-axial recuperator, but it is clearly listed in his order book.
And it is not impossible that he is looking for more than one, in the middle. But with what money ? This is the whole question that will animate the coming months since the era is one of austerity, unless we sell a few players. If Leko did attempt a pirouette by sliding that“we don’t buy a team, we build it”, he knows very well that the context is not favorable. And it is not the latest rumors reporting that 777 Partners is considering selling the club that will calm things down.
Standard: Hakim Sahabo’s “playoff learning”
In the immediate future, however, there is a season to finish, with the means at hand, that is to say without a few injured (Vanheusden, Ngoy, Fossey, O'Neill), without a midfielder who has a defensive profile , but with the return of Djenepo who, if he plays, will still help out on the left side. It will be time to bring back a little balance, and find the happy medium at the same time, next season.
