Standard Liege Sporting Director On Inter Milan Defender: ‘Without Injuries, He’d Be A Top-Level Player’ | OneFootball

Standard Liege Sporting Director Fergal Harkin believes that Inter Milan-owned defender Zinho Vanheusden would be a “top-class player” without injuries.

Speaking after unveiling the 23-year-old as a loan player, via FCInterNews, Harkin suggested that injuries have played a huge role in his not yet living up to his potential.

Vanheusden spent last season on loan with AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie.

However, it was not an easy season for the Belgian international.

A broken foot caused during a a clash with Utrecht striker Bas Dost caused the Nerazzurri-owned defender to miss a couple months.

This meant that Vanheusden struggled for playing time at AZ all through the season. He failed to break into the regular starting backline, and made just seven league appearances all season.

This followed a similarly tough experience on loan with Genoa in Serie A during the prior season.

Vanheusden had been at the Grifone on loan during the 2014-15 season, registering fourteen league appearances. However, injuries were also a theme there, and he was unable to prevent the Ligurians’ relegation to Serie B.

Standard Liege DS Believes Zinho Vanheusden Could Be Top Player Without Injuries

Standard Liege have officially completed the signing of Vanheusden back on loan from Inter.

The club’s Sporting Director Harkin said that “Zinho is a great young man, and a huge talent.”

“If he hadn’t been held back by several injuries which have unfortunately halted his progress, I think he would be one of the top defenders around right now,” he continued.

“But he’s still young, highly motivated and will do everything to make up for lost time with the help of this club, the club of his heart.”

“His knowledge of the Standard, his experience, his leadership, and both his sporting and personal qualities will be a great asset to our team.”