Anderlecht Belgian Pro League 2025/2026 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

Anderlecht decided to stick with Besnik Hasi after the former head coach returned to the club for as second spell in charge last season. While Hasi did a decent enough job, the appointment does not show much ambition and will put pressure on the Albanian head coach early on. If Anderlecht start slowly, fans will likely want to see Hasi gone and a more exciting appointment made. The club have at least been more active to start this window compared to last summer, but there is still work to be done. Some players are also expected to leave, such as young talent Mario Stroekyens.

Transfers in: Ilay Camara (Standard Liege), Enric Llansana (Go Ahead Eagles), Nathan Saliba (Montreal), Zoumana Keita (Viktoria Koln 1904), Mihajlo Cvetkovic (Cukaricki)

Transfers out: Louis Patris (Sint Truiden), Robbie Ure (Sirius)

Key player: Kasper Dolberg

Anderlecht’s star player, when fit, is the former Ajax man Dolberg. The Danish striker can easily hit 20 goals a season in the Belgian Pro League and with a side light on goal scorers, getting the best out of Dolberg will be key. That is also if the club can keep hold of him, something that they have to prioritise if they have any ambition this season.

Young player to watch: Mihajlo Cvetkovic

Stroekyens would again, as last year, by the player to watch for Anderlecht this season if he stays. However, with the 20-year-old heavily linked with a move away, it feels a mistake to pick him in this spot. Instead, we have gone with Mihajlo Cvetkovic. The young Serbian is highly regarded and at just 18 looks to be an exciting prospect. He scored nine goals in 32 games for Cukaricki as a teenager last season and could be one to watch this year if he gets the chance.

Transfer window needs:

With Jan Vertonghen having retired, the side could do with strengthening at the back with experience. Replacing any of the likes of Stroeykens, Yari Verschaeren or Theo Leoni could be important, especially out wide with some more creativity. The Anderlecht squad is large in certain areas, so streamlining and putting resources into creating more balance is crucial by the end of August. Promoting young talent from the second team could also be a means to adding depth to weaker areas, as the side need to ensure they keep the pathway open to young Anderlecht players of the future.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson