http://skysports.planetfootball.com...=&CLID=&lid=19&title=Brugge+star+rejects+deal Was wondering if you guys have seen this and how this will effect Brugges defense when he leaves. Seems as though Wolfsburg is keen on him. It looks like the problem of Belgium players leaving is a common theme in the league. What do you guys think the league could do to better hold on to its homegrown talent?
I think Brugge is one of the teams that suffers the least from this. They have been able in the past and even now to get players and keep them just because of the atmosphere. Brugge has also invested a lot in a good structure, with Michel d'Hooghe (former UEFA top) and Marc Degryse (former star player) which is also important IMO to get the good players. As I said, they've been able to keep the good players but also to attract good players to fill the other spots (Lange, Blondel, Balaban, Rozenahl, Stoica,...) I believe Van der Heyden is the first since Fadiga (that is if you don't count in transfers like Smolders or Saeternes) to leave. Whether it will effect Brugge a lot depends on the fact if Sollied stays. If he stays, it's a real loss, if he goes, another coach will come who will play another system. I don't think, however, Vanderheyden is the player Gerets should be looking for at Wolfsburg.
In the past it worked: Anderlecht, Brugge, KV Mechelen,... they all played European finals. And what about Holland, who only have 5million inhabitants more than Belgium?
The contract is signed: Van der Heyden goes to Wolfsburg at the end of the season. Eric Gerets is thrilled.