Veteran Manager Insists N1.8 Billion Super Eagles Hopeful Is No Flop

KRC Genk parted with N1.8billion (four million euros) earlier in the summer to prise Cyriel Dessers away from Heracles Almelo, but there are already doubts on his ability to deliver the goods

Former Netherlands international Johannes Boskamp has thrown his weight in support of new KRC Genk striker Cyriel Dessers, expressing his surprise that a section of the Belgian media is already questioning the wisdom behind the club paying so much for the Belgian-Nigerian star.

Dessers emerged as one of the outstanding stars of the 2020/21 Eredivisie season, after scoring 15 times to top the goal scorer’s chart.

A couple of Italian and Spanish sides were reportedly interested in snapping up the former Utrecht forward. Still, it was Genk who won the race for his signature in a deal that cost the 2019 Belgium Jupiler Pro League champions four million euros.

But things have not gone smoothly for Dessers since moving back to his country of birth, with the Super Eagles target finding the back of the net just once – a penalty kick – in four games.

At the weekend, in a clash between Genk and Club Brugge, Dessers missed the chance to add to that tally, fluffing another penalty kick as the hosts lost 1-2 to the reigning champions.

Another Nigeria international, Emmanuel Dennis, claimed the man of the match award in that encounter.

Some are already unimpressed with Dessers’ output, but veteran tactician Boskamp wants the 25-year-old to be afforded more time to adapt to his new surroundings.

“Are you already questioning that boy? It is much too early for that. Give Dessers some time, ” the former Anderlecht and Genk manager told Het Belang van Limburg, as per VoetbalBelgie.

“The Belgian league is simply more difficult for strikers than the Dutch. There they play one-on-one from behind – you can walk right through them – while here they think more defensively.”

Dessers will get another chance to return to goalscoring form after the international break when KRC Genk takes on KV Mechelen.