Andre Villas-Boas praises Chelsea target and KRC Genk midfielder Kevin De Bruyne ahead of UEFA Champions League clash
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas praised KRC Genk midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belgium-c2850 midfielder in the summer
transfer window, but the move did not go through.
With Genk set to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Champions League Group E fixture tonight, Wednesday, Villas-Boas heaped praise on the talented youngster. He admitted he was a fan of the player, who reminded him of Belgian legend Enzo Scifo.
Villas-Boas admitted:
“He's exceptionally gifted technically and reminds me of the old technical Belgian players like Enzo Scifo.”
It will be a huge compliment for De Bruyne to be compared to the likes of Scifo, who played for Anderlecht, Internazionale, Bordeaux and Monaco amongst other sides in his career. The former Belgium international holds the honour for representing his country
in four FIFA World Cups, a notable achievement.
Villas-Boas admitted the Blues had indeed been scouting the Genk midfielder, but urged the press to not make too much out of it. He claimed the club scouted various players with no real intention of buying them, therefore avoiding the question if Chelsea
would attempt to sign De Bruyne in the winter transfer window.
He continued:
“We've not only scouted him but we've scouted numerous different players before. It doesn't mean that all of them we scout will eventually join us.”
The Genk manager, Mario Been, was certain the Blues had retained interest in the young midfielder past the summer transfer window. In fact, Been was under the impression Chelsea would try and lure De Bruyne away in the upcoming January transfer window.
Been said in an interview:
“http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 look and want to buy all the big talents so, for me, it wouldn't be a surprise if Kevin went to Chelsea. Everyone's got his price.”
The manager claimed that as long Chelsea were willing to pay the price, they could sign De Bruyne sooner than later. His teammates are also aware of the interest the young midfielder has aroused and Genk skipper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-c9879 Tozser revealed he was not surprised
a side like Chelsea were interested in De Bruyne.
Tozser said:
“I think every game is a chance for him to show himself. Of course, he's a great talent. It's not surprising that Chelsea watched him.”
He added:
“I hope personally he will show Chelsea tomorrow that they made a mistake in that he stayed with us.”
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