Union dominate Pro League nominations…but Anderlecht deserved better

Four Unionists: logic?

Union Saint-Gilloise largely dominated the classic phase and was not unworthy during the Playoffs. So, even without a title at the end, you can’t really blame the Pro League for nominating four USG players. Could we really decide Deniz Undav (26 goals, 13 assists) and his friend Dante Vanzeir (14 goals, 10 assists)? Their duo has been the attacking engine of the unionist season.

Also impossible not to nominate Casper Nielsen (7 goals, 6 assists), which will certainly appear in the eleven type of the season. The Dane splashed the D1A with his talent. As for Teddy Teuma, he is proof that a more discreet, but equally elegant midfielder is essential to a team: captain and soul of the Union, he did not steal his appointment (6 goals, 9 assists all the same! ). If four Unionists were to be nominated, here are the four to choose from.

Two Blauw & Zwart, yes, but those?

The champion had to be well represented, and the Pro League did not really opt for very controversial appointments. Charles De Ketelaere is indisputable and confirmed this season that he was one of the best players in the championship, reaching a level with 14 goals. As per usual, Hans Vanaken was consistent, and finished the season with enviable numbers (11 goals, 9 assists).

But we imagine that Noa Lang will have to complain about his absence. A little irregular, the Dutchman will still have impressed at times, and hoped to win the Golden Boot. Does he pay for his attitude? It would be unfortunate. In another register, the XXL season of Mats Rits, especially in the last months of the classic phase, could have earned him a symbolic nomination in front of Vanaken, more accustomed to these individual distinctions. But an injury that deprived him of the decisive matches in the Playoffs may have ruled him out.

Michael Frey pays his anonymous end of season

The second top scorer in the championship is therefore not nominated. While Antwerp has certainly not shone with its flamboyant individuality this season, Michael Frey could still hope to be taken back, even if his total of 22 goals is a little inflated by an improbable fivefold against Standard. The Swiss only experienced one real big breakdown: in the last months of competition. No goals in the last four games of the classic phase, when Antwerp was trembling for their place in the top 4, and no goals before it was almost for nothing in the Playoffs.

Conversely, John Butez is the only goalkeeper nominated and well deserves it. If Anthony Moris holds the record for cleansheets, it is the former Mouscron who has seemed the most impressive and consistent this season, and seems to have an unsuspected ceiling.

Christian Brüls…?

There is little to say about the other nominees: Junya Ito, best passer in the championship, lifted the offensive game of Racing Genk to the top and is the only one who can shine in all circumstances, where Paul Onuachu can offer calamitous performances and Théo Bongonda alternated between bench and field despite his good statistics. Tarik Tissoudali is indisputable, and even a candidate for the trophy podium (behind, probably, two Unionists). Xavier Mercier is one of the best midfielders in Belgium, and proves it every year.

One question remains, and we ask it without wanting to disrespect the player, who remains very appreciated: what does Christian Bruels among the nominees? Author of a good season, with 7 goals and 6 assists, a season which reminded us why he had won a good transfer to Ligue 1 at the time, the elegant trudonnaire however seems well behind many other candidates. Only in the « small » clubs, players like Jean-Luc Dompé or Rabbi Matondo seemed much more deserving.

Where is Joshua Zirkzee?

The presence of Brüls seems all the more surprising since the third in the championship, unlike the fourth, fifth and sixth, has no player in the nominees. Joshua Zirkzee, with 16 goals and 11 assists, was an obvious choice, which would suffer absolutely no challenge. The Dutchman’s irregularity has annoyed, but on a good day he is among the best players in the league without a doubt.

It is perhaps the only Mauve to be able to be considered as an obvious choice. Sergio Gomez’s second half of the season rules him out of options (and the Spaniard is named among the best youngsters). But if Christian Brüls is nominated…