“I called Standard to come back”: Steven Defour explains his controversial transfer to Anderlecht – All football

Former player and captain of Standard de Liège, Steven Defour decided to return to Belgium after a stint at Porto by joining the big rival, Anderlecht. A choice which was not at all accepted by Rouches supporters at the time. This decision had provoked a lot of reactions, notably with the slogan “Red or Dead” brandished by Standard supporters during a Classico.

Now retired for several years, the native of Mechelen discussed this subject in the show Footb’All-Time d’Unibet. “PSV was very interested. I had an agreement with PSV but it was… Porto didn’t want to talk about a transfer”, puts the player into context.

“And so I was there then it was mid-August, then Anderlecht, they came and I said no. I had nothing against Anderlecht but I was captain of Standard. I knew it was going to be a very difficult choice to accept by both groups of supporters,” underlines the former Mechelen coach.

I also called the Switchboard

“But then I tried to put pressure on PSV. But they had budget limits. Then Porto was difficult. I also called Standard and Duchâtelet didn’t want it. It was clear from the start.”

Anderlecht seemed to be the team that had the best offer on the table: “And then, Anderlecht, at one point, they made the necessary efforts to make me feel good by signing. But maybe I’m under -estimated the impact of the transfer. I thought that if I played well, it would pass. Ok, the Standard fans will be angry. But from Anderlecht’s point of view, I thought it was okay. better pass.”