Belgian Pro League 2024/2025 Preview: Gent | OneFootball

Gent were set for a summer of transition after selling three key players in January. They received good money for all three and the hope was that they would invest significantly in the summer transfer window. There is still time for that to happen, but business has not been as quick as people may have expected. The squad remains large and in Wouter Vrancken they have a coach that enjoys playing entertaining attacking football. Thanks to a win over Vrancken’s former side Genk, Gent will be in with a chance of qualifying for European group stage football for next season.

Last seasons finish: 7th

Transfers in: Andri Gudjohnsen (Lyngby BK), Max Dean (MK Dons)

Transfers out: Paul Nardi (QPR), Jorthy Mokio (Ajax), Brian Agbor (free), Laurent Depoitre (free)

Overvew:

Gent fans will be hoping that Gudjohnsen can live up to his fathers level of talent and fire the side into a title challenge this season. The 22-year-old is the main signing so far, with Dean also coming in to strengthen the attacking options. Fans of Gent will also be looking to see a lot more of Momodou Sonko, who has now had a full pre-season and should get plenty of chances. The 19-yer-old could be the catalyst for how Vrancken wants to play this season.

Elsewhere, the team is much the same. The defence is strong and the midfield has plenty of options, although there are reports that some of these players may move on. Mathias Delorge is set to join from Sint-Truiden to add another competent midfielder who is happy to get on the ball and move things along. Wingers Franck Surdez and Daisuke Yokota showed glimpses last season of what they can do.

With Tarik Tissoudali reportedly off to Greece, Gent will hope they can keep hold of 19-year-old Matias Fernandez-Pardo. The teenager impressed during the play-offs and looks ready to play a major role in the first team this season, unless another club comes in and gives Gent an offer they simply cannot refuse.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson