Switching to a 3-1-4-2 when he took over from Nicolas Frutos at Anderlecht, Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s formation is causing Henry Onyekuru a few problems.
Despite scoring two goals against KV Mechelen, the Everton loanee has struggled in other aspects of the game, notably his defending, as playing with three at the back requires the wide players to defend more.
This can be seen in the results since the new manager’s arrival, with Anderlecht conceding eight goals and scoring four (all in the same game) over the past three matches.
Of course, adapting to a change of formation takes time, but for the Grand Débrief crew over in Belgium, questions are starting to be asked about the Everton starlet, who will need to learn how to learn how to track back if he is to stand a chance of playing in the Premier League.
Explaining the forward ‘didn’t care about defending’, Vincenzo Ciuro was joined by former Mouscron defender Alexandre Teklak, who stated the young forward ‘doesn’t understand Vanhaezebrouck’s system’.
The pundit even wondered if this reluctance to defend was done on purpose, with Onyekuru, more than once, turning his back on the man he was supposed to be following, acting as if he didn’t see him.
With a lot of managers in the Premier League asking for their players to track back, the art of defending is something the Everton loanee is going to need if he is to succeed at Goodison Park down the line.
It remains to be seen, however, who he will end up playing under when he returns from his spell at Anderlecht following Ronald Koeman’s dismissal.
