Henry Onyekuru seems like a headstrong young man. During the last winter window when he’d been the subject of an approach from Celtic, Onyekuru was angry with his then club, Eupen, for not allowing a sale.
He went AWOL and it was a big story in Belgium, with it being thought he’d leave the country in the summer window. Everton and Anderlecht then came up with a deal together which had great potential to work out brilliantly, and it’s going well so far, given the Belgium club’s struggles this season.
What Onyekuru may not appreciate is Anderlecht manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck explaining why the Everton loan player isn’t striker material just yet. Onyekuru clearly sees himself as a striker, and Vanhaezebrouck’s commnets make that clear, but he’s apparently not ready.
“Henry doesn’t currently have the feeling to make the right movements from that position. He may think he can, but on the basis of what I see, it’s clear that he doesn’t have the feeling, he looks for his position, often stands still and doesn’t know where to go.”
Therefore, it’s believed the Everton owned player is better off out wide, but he’s still scored 8 goals so far this season.
Onyekuru had been eyeing up a quick return to parent club Everton in January, to help solve their striker crisis, but his agent talked down the possibilities due to work permit woes.
Should the 20 year old, who incidentally plays wearing the No.9 at Anderlecht, managed to get a work permit and arrive at Everton in the summer, then the plan would likely have been for him to do so as a striker. If he can’t do that in Belgian football, at least according to Vanhaezebrouck, then it’s some ask for him to do so in England.
Perhaps it’s just a challenge being set down by the Anderlecht coach, and he’s playing mind games with the youngster.
