The Chery on Top: Former QPR favourite proving to be one of the signings of the season in the Belgian Pro League | OneFootball

This summer, the Great Old of Antwerp had to cut costs. They moved on from head coach Mark van Bommel and a number of key players as they slashed the wage bill. Their transfer business had to be more shrewd, and they brought in a few experienced heads like Denis Odoi. Another of those veteran signings was Tjaronn Chery. The Suriname international had been in good form for NEC Nijmegen on loan last season, grabbing six goals and four assists in just 18 games. Yet, given his age at 36, not many would have predicted that Chery would be one of the best signings by any Belgian side this summer.

Fast forward a few months and Chery has a right to be put in the conversation. The attacking midfielder is fast becoming a firm favourite of the Antwerp faithful, thanks to his entertaining style of play. The midfielder has already scored six goals in 10 games and grabbed two assists. Yet these six goals are almost all goal of the season contenders in their own right. His left foot, described by some QPR fans as a ‘wand’, has captivated the Antwerp fan base. His two goals in the derby against Beerschot were prime examples of the technical ability of the man.

Wherever the talented midfielder has gone in his career, he has produced the goods. During his time in England with QPR he scored 14 goals and grabbed 10 assists in 66 games. Pior to joining NEC on loan, he had played over 200 games in Israel for Maccabi Haifa, scoring an impressive 56 goals.

Chery has slotted into this new look Antwerp with ease. Despite cutting costs and changing their direction, the side have arguably been more entertaining. there is a great flow to how the side attack, with Vincent Janssen used as the focal point to then allow the likes of Chery to get into dangerous positions. Despite his advancing years, Chery looks set to have one of his best seasons since 2015/2016 with QPR, the last time he reached double figures for goals. If he manages that, few can argue that the free agent signing was the best bit of business by any Belgian club this summer.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson