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For a long time there was a negative attitude from some of the Belgian sport media towards Leander Dendoncker.

He was seen as perhaps being a little arrogant whilst at Anderlecht, and believing there was more Premier League interest in him, and from higher profile clubs, than there actually was.

When he signed for Wolves, the reaction from some was dismissive of the club, and it was seen as proof that Dendoncker wasn’t really all he cracked himself up to be. Then when he wasn’t involved in many matches at the beginning, it was all seen as proof that the now 25-year-old wasn’t quite as good as he thought.

Of course, now things are different. The midfielder is a regular for Nuno Espirito Santo, and also impressing on the international stage, so much so he was named Belgium’s Man of the Match, by some of the country’s media, for his performance against Ivory Coast on Thursday evening.

Manager Roberto Martinez is quoted by HLN as saying: “Vanaken and Dendoncker were special. How they guarded the organisation of the team – great. I can say that they have now reached a level that allows them to play on a high international stage.”

That’s justification for the Wolves man. He was right to want a move to the Premier League and right to believe that ultimately he would shine in English football, and then be able to take that to the national team.