Dendoncker no longer a captain: “To keep the pressure away”

TUESDAY, 24 DECEMBER 2024, 10:23 - lajoya
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OTHER In Jan Vertonghen's absence, Leander Dendoncker got the captain's armband around his arm several times immediately after his return. Meanwhile, it has been since late October. In Het Laatste Nieuws today, coach David Hubert says it was a conscious decision to stop making Dendoncker captain (for now?).


When Dendoncker came to Anderlecht at the end of August, expectations were high. He could not yet live up to those high expectations. After a season in which he barely played, he first had to find his rhythm again. He was sick for a while and struggled with an ankle injury. Moreover, Dendoncker is a workhorse and not a stylist who takes the offensive reins.


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In his second game since his return, Dendoncker was immediately named captain. In all, he would wear the belt seven times. The last time was at the end of October when Anderlecht went down without a chance at Club Brugge.

In Het Laatste Nieuws, Hubert points out that the decision to make Dendoncker captain at that time was made by the previous coach. After the game against Club Brugge, he had a conversation with Dendoncker and together they made the decision to pass on the band. “With the goal of getting the best out of everyone,” Hubert said.

Hubert says the captain's band can be a tool to make some players better. “But that doesn't work with everyone, sometimes it backfires,” the coach said. That seemed to be the case with Dendoncker. “The expectations when he returned were sky-high. Physically, he also came a long way. If we can take some of the pressure off this way ...”

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