Anderlecht began a new chapter last week by appointing Olivier Renard as sporting director. His challenge is to quickly leave his mark on Lotto Park, starting with the upcoming winter transfer window.
Unlike his predecessor Jesper Fredberg, Renard must focus exclusively on the first team at Neerpede. Its objective is to bring additional quality to the squad, while boosting the long-term value of the team by recruiting young talents with the help of the scouting unit.
A new number 10 as a priority
Financial resources remain relatively limited, even if president Wouter Vandenhaute and owner Marc Coucke assure that there is a budget available for January. Renard will thus have the opportunity to prove his worth this winter.
According to The Newspaperthe priorities are already clear: Anderlecht is looking for a solid defender and/or a playmaker. Last summer, Fredberg tried to fill this position by offering a chance to Yari Verschaeren and Mario Stroeykens, but a surplus of creativity would not be enough. not too much for the team.
Substitute for Vertonghen
The return of Thorgan Hazard could provide a solution in this area, as could the return of Jan Vertonghen to central defense, where his replacement Zanka was not satisfactory. Reinforcement in defense therefore seems essential to ensure the stability of the team for the rest of the season.
Renard has already started discussions with Vertonghen and David Hubert to precisely assess current needs before drawing his own conclusions. Once this assessment is completed, he will be able to focus on possible moves in the transfer market.
A first test for Renard
“He will not be able to undertake any major maneuvers before the January transfer window, and even then, we should not expect a massive number of transfers,” we specify. Renard, who could initially aim for immediately operational reinforcements, will have to quickly convince the supporters, who are still skeptical, of his ability to strengthen Anderlecht.
