Youri Tielemans is being held aloft as a star in Belgium, but one aspect of his game could be exploited by Club Brugge when they take on Aston Villa in the Champions League this week.
That’s according to Luc Nilis, who has singled out the Belgian international while discussing Aston Villa’s weaknesses in general to Het Belang van Limburg.
Brugge host Unai Emery’s side this evening in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 double-header.
The Belgian side head into the game in good form after a strong performance in Europe so far that has seen them performs superbly in the new league phase before then knocking out Atalanta in the last round.
It means they will have nothing to fear from this game, despite Aston Villa being a Premier League side and enjoying a strong Champions League campaign themselves.
Nilis knows all about the Villans after spending part of his playing career with them and has been keeping an eye on him since.
He, alongside Stijnen, believes that there is plenty for Brugge to exploit in the game and the pair see Tielemans as the potential weak point, despite thinking highly of him in general.
“On ball loss, there is a lot of space between the defensive midfield and the defence,” said Nilis.
“Club can make use of that. They did the same against Atalanta. Strikers dropping back, the flank players squeezing in and going outside. They struggle with that. Chelsea took advantage of that, but not enough. Club will definitely do that. They will make the most of that.
“He (Tielemans) plays there at ease. He distributes, is the big patron. The coach changed a lot of players, but not Tielemans. He is very much liked there after the great performances he did there. He gets a lot of respect there.
“I think he is very good in possession of the ball, but less so in conversion. Not aggressive enough. As a playmaker and on the ball, he is strong, with a good shot too. His working point is defending in that conversion.
“That is what he lacks to be world-class. I therefore prefer to see him as close to the attack as possible. That’s where his greatest qualities lie.”
