Vanhaezebrouck about Sonko’s few playing minutes: “The fact that the club paid seven million depended on the situation” | Belgian Football

Where is the record transfer from AA Gent? Momodou Sonko (19), who cost seven million euros (+1 million bonuses) last winter, warms the bench. Hein Vanhaezebrouck believes that the wing attacker should not be judged on that transfer amount. “The club knew: if we do nothing, our audience will not be satisfied.”

Two short raids, each in minute 89. That’s it. Momodou Sonko barely gets a chance in the Europe Play-Offs. Hein Vanhaezebrouck may say that Sonko is “doing better in recent weeks”, but that has not yet been reflected in matches.

“Franck Surdez and Matias Fernandez-Pardo simply take their chances,” says Vanhaezebrouck. “The first one suffered a hamstring injury this week and may be out for the rest of the season. So there will be openings. It’s up to Sonko and others to show during training that they are ready.”

The Swede was taken away from BK Häcken last winter for a record amount, but could not yet live up to expectations. “I don’t participate in ‘top transfers’ and ‘record amounts’. These are unimportant to me, because they are dictated by the situation,” says Vanhaezebrouck. “If we had not had to sell for 45 million in the winter, we would never have spent so much money. The fact that Sonko cost seven million only has to do with the fact that we could spend a lot of money and that there was a lot of interest in him.”

“We had to go above four to five million to sign him. The club has also chosen that. Because they also knew: if we do nothing, our audience will not be satisfied. I don’t think it is correct to say that Sonko must show that he is worth seven million. Compare him to Franck Surdez. He may have ‘only’ come from the second division in Switzerland, but that doesn’t mean anything. Surdez was more ready, physically a step further and picked up the rhythm and energy faster. Sonko had just come off leave when he arrived. We saw that too. Physically he was nowhere. We had to work very hard with him.” And the Ghent staff continues to do so. Wondering whether Sonko can get more chances in these play-offs. Otherwise, we will quickly have to focus on next season.

In the meantime, Vanhaezebrouck shook the tree again before the important match against KV Mechelen. Last week AA Gent won against Westerlo, but the level was below average. “Everyone has to look at themselves and ask themselves whether they are reaching an acceptable level. It will be a difficult away match in Mechelen. I want to see who is able to raise his level again. If we play there with the same attitude and quality as against Westerlo, it will be difficult. Hopefully everyone is aware of that.” (ABD)

Six days after Besnik Hasi announced his departure as coach of KV Mechelen, the trainer spoke to the press again. “It was difficult for me for two days,” Hasi reflected. “I like being here. But I had to make a decision.”

Just like last week, Hasi emphasized once again that he does not have another club yet. “I’m actually taking a risk, because I don’t have a club for next season. That’s out of my control. With my experience, I don’t get nervous easily. I’ll wait and see. But now I – or my agent – do have the time and the space to talk to another club. I’m not saying that I will, but it is possible. So far there has been a lot of interest from abroad,” says the Kosovar.

“Since January. I have always told my broker that I was not interested in that. I want to stay in Belgium. Sooner or later I will embark on a new foreign adventure, but for now I would like to stay in Belgium for a few years. It is important for me to get involved somewhere where I can build.” (JDKK)