Club Brugge enter the new season under Ivan Leko as defending champions, having added their 20th top flight title to the trophy cabinet last summer. As per usual for Club Brugge, some key players have left for big money, but the production line remains there to replace them, and the side have plenty of funds available to dip into the transfer window again before the window closes to add more depth if they so wish. For the first time in a long time, they go into a season without Simon Mingolet, who retired last summer. Yet they have replaced his experience with another veteran goalkeeper in Yann Sommer.
Transfers in: Andrej Vasovic (Luzern), Yann Sommer (free), Cheveyo Tsawa (FC Zurich)
Transfers out: Christos Tzolis (Arsenal), Shandre Campbell (Kortrijk), Zaid Abner Romero (Getafe), Dani van den Heuvel (OH Leuven), Aleksandar Stankovic (Inter)
Key player: Hans Vanaken
Hans Vanaken isn’t slowing down. The Belgian international had another season with double digits for goals and remains a key player for Club Brugge. It is unlikely that Vanaken will leave the side now that he is going to be 34 by the end of this season. Vanaken played 57 games for Club Brugge last season, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists. He will be crucial for Club Brugge if they want to regain their title this season.
Young player to watch: Cheveyo Tsawa
The 19-year-old Swiss central midfielder was one of Club Brugge’s major signings this summer. They’ve done well shopping in Switzerland in the past, with Ardon Jashari proving an excellent pick up from the Swiss top flight. Last season Tsawa played 36 games for FC Zurich as a teenager, scoring two goals and providing two assists. If Leko thinks he is ready for first team football, expect to see him in the line up. Club Brugge have never been scared to give youngsters a chance if they think they are ready for it.
