Debast: "Learning and having fun"

INTERVIEWS Zeno Debast spoke to the press for the first time today as a Red Devil. The 18-year-old Anderlecht defender exudes calmness, but was already looking his eyes out. "Whether I was starstruck? Yes, of course. It takes some adjusting from TV to reality. Someone as De Bruyne is of an enormous level."


Debast first addressed the press at a press conference, followed by individual interviews with VTM and others. "I didn't expect to be called up so early, but I am very proud," the defender said. "The introduction went smoothly. I already trained for two days in June, so I already knew some of the players. It was nice to see everyone again now and have a chat with them."

Apparently, Roberto Martinez wanted Debast to make a first call-up as early as March. "Our contacts are pretty smooth, although they usually go through the club and not directly with me," said Debast, who did speak with Martinez several times, including about next week. "He told me to learn a lot, have fun and enjoy this week. My dream is to get to play some minutes, but first of all I'm here to learn and have fun. Everything else is bonus. The World Cup? That's a dream, of course. Who doesn't dream of that? I would love it very much should I get to go."

Like Anderlecht, the Red Devils play in a three-man defense. "That might be an advantage, but also with the national youth teams we already played with three at the back. So I do know the system. But the fact that at Anderlecht we also play with three at the back in no doubt an advantage for me to adapt more easily."