34 times Belgian champions Anderlecht are coming off of a very poor 2022/2023 season in which they finished 11th. This season, the side have claimed they are aiming for a top six spot and a place in the play-offs. The Mauves certainly underachieved last season, with the performance of former head coach Vincent Kompany over in England being a kick in the teeth for the fanbase. While there is a transition going on at the club, the fans expect a much better showing during the 2023/2024 campaign.
Head Coach: Brian Riemer (returning)
Transfers in: Kasper Dolberg (Nice), Maxime Dupé (Toulouse), Louis Patris (OHL), Luis Vazquez (Boca Juniors), Justin Lonwijk (Dynamo Kyiv), Tudor Mendel-Idowu (Chelsea)
Transfers out: Adrien Trebel (Free), Islam Slimani (Free), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Kristoffer Olsson (FC Midtjylland), Lior Refaelov (Maccabi Haifa), Timon Wellenruether (Feyenoord), Mo Dauda (Free), Aristote Nkaka (Free).
Player to watch: Kasper Dolberg
Danish international Kasper Dolberg has been searching for form over the past few seasons. Spells in Spain and Germany have failed to reignite the strikers career, and now he finds himself in Belgium. Brian Riemer has already claimed that the striker is ‘too good’ for Anderlecht, which has now set high expectations. He will be relied upon to score the goals and Mauves fans are hoping he will be the catalyst for a successful season.
Transfer Needs:
All the noise coming out of Anderlecht has been that the side want to bring fresh faces into the squad. They are looking for a winger and will hopefully add one, and maybe a few other players across all positions, before the end of the summer window.
Prediction:
Anderlecht still have some work to do in the transfer window before we can really judge their overall prospects. As of now, they look set to finish in and around the top six, but injuries at this point could really derail their chances of making the championship playoffs.
