Youri Tielemans is a young footballer with his head firmly screwed on, which is fortunate because the 19 year old has just become a father for the first time. Many in Tielemans’ position would have left Anderlecht long before now and gone to stagnate elsewhere on the bench.
Tielemans knew what was right for his career and staying in Belgium has helped him progress into a more complete package, with the summer feeling like an opportune time to move.
Recently Tielemans took part in a Belgian radio show, and when it was put to him that Everton would be the ideal type of club for his next step, the Anderlecht player agreed: “It’s what’s best to progress step by step. What Marc (Degryse, former Belgium international) says, it’s good to not burn steps and to avoid ending up on the bench and not getting game time. It’s what’s best for every footballer, I think. I, however, don’t have a preference league wise.”
That’s encouraged rumours which didn’t need much encouragement in the first place. Without much basis, Tielemans has been linked to Everton for several years, perhaps it’s just because it’s the type of transfer which simply makes sense.
Het Belang van Limburg publish an interview with the midfielder in their Saturday edition. Tielemans had it put to him: “With your current statistics – 17 goals, 10 assists – the next transfer window seems the ideal time? Atlético, Everton, Monaco, Lyon… The clubs queue up.”
To which he replied: “I think this season I have taken a step forward. There is more regularity in my game and I’m important to the team. My teammates have confidence in me and give me the ball more often to make the game. Therefore, I also get good statistics.”
On his reported €25m price tag, Tielemans said: “The speculation about my transfer fee I let pass me by. The money is primarily something that Anderlecht will be better with. Interested clubs can always contact my agent. I just try as much as possible to play football and then we’ll see at the end of this season.”
Go on Everton, everyone wants you to.
