For any striker at a new club, that first goal is always crucial. At Club Brugge, Thiago Rodrigues has made his goalscoring presence felt instantly. After opening his account at home during the sides 1-1 opening day draw with Mechelen, the striker has gone on to grab another two, one in the 1-0 win over Westerlo and another as the side romped to a 5-1 victory over KA Akureyri.
Fans of the black and blue half of Brugge will be hoping that they have finally found a striker who can compete for the top scoring title. Ferran Jutgla led the side in the league with 13 goals last season, sitting seventh overall in the goalscoring charts. Thanks to the goalscoring feats of Hans Vanaken from midfield, the side has been able to win titles without a 15-20 goals a season striker. The last time a striker scored 15 goals for Club Brugge was Jelle Vossen in 2016/2017. Vossen is now 34 and playing second division football for Zulte Waregem.
Rodrigues is certainly at the other end of his career. He has shown that he can certainly score from the spot. He was an expensive addition from Ludogorets Razgrad, where he had notched 20 goals in 55 games. If he can reach 15 this season, Club Brugge will certainly be in the title charge.
At the weekend he has a great chance to get himself a few more. The side face one of the relegation favourites in Eupen. All eyes will be on who lines up in goal for the Pandas, with Chelsea’s young talented American goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina having joined for a season long loan. 22-year-old Rodrigues will be hoping to give him his own welcome to Belgian football.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
