Onyedika has enjoyed a lot of game time in the absence of Rits, but he now has to consistently churn out big performances if he wants to keep his spot
Belgian midfielder Mats Rits has warned Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika that he would give him a big fight to regain his starting shirt at Genk.
Rits suffered a cruciate ligament injury in May 2021 in Club Brugge’s playoff tie against Anderlecht. It was because of his injury that Blauw-Zwart signed Onyedika from Midtjylland last summer.
Onyedika has settled down well into the team, making twelve appearances in the league and five in the UEFA Champions League.
He has formed a steady partner with Vanaken in the middle of the park.
However, Rits has returned to action and he has warned Onyedika that wants to reclaim his role as the first-choice defensive midfielder.
“Onyedika, Nielsen, and Vanaken are three fantastic players, but I am convinced that I will take my place back,” Rits told Krant van West-Vlaanderen as per voetbalbelgie.
“Naturally. I became a footballer to be on the field and I have enough self-confidence. And I’m in control here myself.”
Club Brugge has been below par this season. They sit fourth in the Jupiler League after 18 games.
Scott Parker just took over at the helms of affairs at the club in December, and he could still be undecided on who to choose
Onyedika will have to perform at optimum level if he wants to keep his shirt.