With the absence of winter recruits, the injury of Laifis and the suspension of Dönnum, Luka Elsner called on young shoots to build his bench. There were Canak (17 years old), Noubi (17 years old), Ngoy (18 years old), Calut (18 years old), Mmaee (18 years old). Also summoned but not in the 18, the young Ghalidi (17) also participated in the warm-up.
What hope, for these young people, to see them at work by the end of the season?
“It’s entirely possible that they’ll get game timeassure Elsner. They have a lot of qualities and discover the requirements of the high level. In a context that is not so simple, I think they learn a lot. They represent the future of this team. I repeat, if they are present in the nucleus, it is not only because they are young, but because they are talented. I have no reluctance to use them, but you have to see the context that should be favorable to them. Against Beerschot, we could have seen Noubi return following the exclusion of Noë, but what made the difference was that Nathan (Ngoy) already had experience and it seemed more logical. The academy produces very good players who are ready on many points. It’s up to them to understand the requirements and not just be present in the core.”
