Eupen have a new striker, one that they have been in desperate need of this season. 32-year-old Renaud Emond agreed a mutual termination with Standard Liege in order to join the Pandas in a hope to revive his career. So far, the forward has only played three Pro League matches and 100 minutes of football across these. Now the question is, can Emond be the striker that turns around the fortunes for Eupen?
Under former Werder Bremen head coach Florian Kohfeldt the side got off to a strong start, before going on a run of just one win in 16 games in all competitions. Since winning against Charleroi on the 28th of October, they have only mustered two points from a possible 24. In 20 matches they have only scored 21 goals, with Isaac Nuhu leading the way with four goals.
Emond’s best season in recent memory was the 2018/2019 season, when he grabbed 13 goals for Standard in 34 games. This led to a move to Ligue 1 to join Nantes, yet there the forward only managed three goals in 38 games. Since returning to Standard in the winter of 2022, he has scored six goals in 31 games. All indicators that the forward is not the same player he was back in 2018/2019.
Yet Eupen may still benefit from a player with league experience, and leaving a situation where he was not the first choice striker to one where he may be considered a big fish in a small pond could be exactly what Emond needs. Kohfeldt will certainly be hoping that he can be a catalyst to turn their fortunes around. The poor run of form has left Eupen second bottom with 15 points from 20 games, six points adrift of guaranteed safety.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
