Unless you know Michy Batshuayi’s family tree, or have taken any interest in Anderlecht over the past couple of years, the name Aaron Leya Iseka might not mean much to you.
Trying to follow in his brother’s footsteps by spending some time at Marseille, the 19-year-old striker struggled in the south of France, quickly pushed to one side by Rudi Garcia.
Now on loan at Zulte Waregem, the youngster has found some form again, enough to earn him a call up to Belgium’s U21s, which has allowed him to catch up with the Chelsea fan favourite in person.
Speaking to DH in Belgium, he said: “Sometimes, people think I’m lying when I say I’m Michy’s brother when I don’t have the same name as him. It’s the norm in Africa, not in Europe.
“I’m happy that he’s here [in Tubize] with me because I don’t see him often. We keep in touch via FaceTime, but we don’t see each other much, so we’re making the most of it.”
Not only that, but the two get along very well, and Michy Batshuayi has always been a role model for the younger brother.
He continued: “He’s an example to me. He’s gone through some tough moments. He’s often had to fight for his spot, and has won it. He knows how to get out of tough spots, he’s a warrior.
“When it doesn’t go well for him, he digs deep to find everything he can. Now, he’s very strong, he doesn’t hide and isn’t scared of facing his responsibilities.”
While he has yet to make it outside of Belgium, time is very much on Leya Iseka’s side.
After all, Batshuayi only left the Jupiler Pro League for Ligue 1 a few months before his 21st birthday, and he’s at Chelsea now.
