Matz Sels returned to Belgium to kick-start his career after struggling at Newcastle United – but the Jupiler League isn’t being kind to him either.
A year after facing Wolfsburg in the Champions League round-of-16 in the colours of Belgian underdogs Gent, Matz Sels was barely getting a look in at Newcastle United.
The 25-year-old became the most expensive goalkeeper in Newcastle’s history when he arrived for £6.5 million last summer (Sky Sports) but immediately struggled to adapt to the more physical nature of the English second tier.
By the time October rolled around, and Sels had made one mistake too many, Karl Darlow replaced him between the sticks. Sels did not make another Championship appearance until the end of the season and it was little surprise that he returned to Belgium on loan this summer with Anderlecht.
Deja vu
Though if the former Belgian Under-21 international thought a move to the 2016/17 Jupiler League champions would be the ideal way to rebuild his reputation, it hasn’t exactly gone to plan so far.
Anderlecht sacked their manager, Rene Weiler, last week after a dismal start to their title defence and, just like last season, Sels has been dropped in the final few days of September.
Sels sat out the cup tie with Westerlo in midweek but stayed on the bench as the champions got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Waasland-Beveren on Saturday.
The ‘keeper could be forgiven for suffering a little déjà vu. And he will be hoping that a repeat of last season, where Sels didn’t play a league game beyond the second month of the campaign, is not on the cards.
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