RWDM are back in the Pro League after a lengthy absence, but their summer has not been one without drama. Just days before the start of the season, head coach Vincent Euvrard was replaced by former Lyon defender Cláudio Caçapa. The Brazilian will be hoping to keep the side in the Pro League, before building towards what club President John Textor hopes will be a European adventure in the comings seasons.
Head coach: Cláudio Caçapa (Botafogo)
Transfers in: Xavier Mercier (Ferencvaros), Shuto Abe (FC Tokyo), Alexis De Sart (Antwerp), Abner (Faranse), Guillaume Hubert (Oostende), Pierre Dwomoh (Antwerp),
Transfers out: Yan Vorogosvsky (FC Astana), Ibrahia Sory Sankhon (FCV Dender), Numan Kurdic (free)
Player to watch: Mickaël Biron
We have had to wait a bit longer than anticipated to see Biron make his Pro League debut. Originally brought to Belgium by Oostende for €5m, the striker then returned to AS Nancy on loan, the side he had left to join Oostende. Both sides were owned by the Pacific Media Group. Before he even made an appearance for the coastal side he was sold to RWDM for €2.5m, much to the frustration of Oostende fans. The 25-year-old Martinique forward scored 16 goals in 29 games for the club last year, and he is currently their main man to keep them in the league.
Transfer needs:
The side certainly looks light at the back. There are rumours that Jake O’Brien will return form Crystal Palace, also owned by John Textor, for another loan spell. This would certainly address the defensive issues they are currently facing. Another striker to support Biron would also be welcomed, with another former Oostende man in Makhtar Gueye heavily linked.
Prediction:
Unlike Westerlo and Union St Gilloise before them, RWDM are not in as strong a position as the two previously promoted sides. They look set to struggle, with the off-field drama certainly painting a picture of a club that does not look quite harmonious at the moment. They look set to finish in the bottom four, but whether or not that results in a return to the second tier of Belgium very much depends on whether or not they use their network of clubs to strengthen in January.
