"Verschaeren's contract situation has no impact on his playing time"
FRIDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2025, 17:47 - lajoya
INTERVIEWS After three nail-biting matches on the bench, Yari Verschaeren was called up for another substitute on Tuesday against Gent. At his press conference this afternoon, Besnik Hasi discussed his number ten's situation. "Due to Nathan De Cat's improved form, we opted for him at some point," Hasi said.
Yari played quite a bit in late July and August. "He's started the season well," Hasi said. "Together with Llansana in midfield." Nathan Saliba wasn't there yet, and Nathan De Cat was brought in cautiously. "But at some point, De Cat will blossom, which we knew would happen sooner or later," Hasi said.
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Continue reading According to Hasi, the fact that Verschaeren started playing less at some point had nothing to do with his expiring contract and pressure for a transfer. "I don't participate in situations where players who don't re-sign are no longer allowed to play. The club never asked me to. Because of De Cat's improved form, we decided to play with him at some point."
Hasi certainly doesn't complain about Verschaeren's attitude. "Yari is very driven and works hard. It's a shame he couldn't score that chance on Tuesday. He runs fantastically in space. He has those qualities. A goal might give him a boost, because the past few weeks haven't been easy for him. But the only way to fight back into the team when you lose your place is hard work."
Unfortunate Injuries
Verschaeren has been playing for Anderlecht's first team for eight years now. Hasi notes that top talents usually leave the purple and white after two or three years, but admits that fate hasn't always been kind to Verschaeren. "Expectations were too high for Verschaeren at the time. He was a fast international, too. Besides, I don't see him as a number 10."
"Then came some serious injuries. That didn't benefit his development, and as a result, he missed a few transfers. Missing those steps affected his development. Abroad, and I don't count the Netherlands as an international, you look at life and football differently."
Last summer, it was also assumed that Verschaeren would leave, whether or not at Anderlecht's insistence. According to Hasi, Verschaeren had the opportunity to transfer this summer. "Many players might have done so. From what I heard, the proposals were very attractive financially. But he chose to stay. I think he'll make the move at some point."
