Exciting Belgian Starlet Hunted by Arsenal, Aston Villa, Spurs, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Blackburn & Sunderland After Starring Against Liverpool & Everton

At least 9 Premier League clubs are reported to be tracking Belgian international playmaker Steve Defour at the moment as the 20-year continues to impress for Standard Liege. The youngster put himself in the shop window with his European displays against Merseyside giants Liverpool and Everton and has not declared he is ready to leave Standard in January.

The Belgian international admitted this week, “I have achieved what I wanted to achieve with Standard.”

Before adding, “Maybe it is best for my career to make an upward step. I feel the time is right for me to move
on.”

This will encourage the reported interested Premier League sides Arsenal, Aston Villa, Spurs, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Blackburn and Sunderland who have all had the midfielder watched. It’s little surprise as the 5 ft 8 playmaker’s career has gone from strength to strength. Defour is now a permanent member of the Belgian national side with 16 caps and 1 goal to his name despite his tender years. He also captains the current Belgian champions Standard as well as won the 2007 Golden Shoe Award in 2007 as most outstanding player in the Jupiler League.

Defour began his career at Racing Genk where he made 30 League appearances (25 starts) and scored once. Despite breaking into the side at just 16-years-old the playmaker was soon one of the integral members of the side and his ambition led to a move to Standard. His departure caused such a commotion at Genk that the Chairman at the time Jos Vaessen stood down from his post.

Defour had this to say at the time, “At Genk things became too easy for me. At Standard I may not play in every match at this stage, but I would rather have 20 good matches and start on the bench 14 times, than play 34 moderate matches. Even in training I’ve become a better player by working with players like Conceição and Rapaić. They give me advice, but they also listen to me. I’ve already criticised Conceição. Sérgio accepts my criticism as he realises I am a good player.”

This comment provides an example of the ambition of the youngster and explains why he’s been such a success at Standard Liege. He led the club to the Belgian championship for the first time in 25 years last season and has now made 60 League appearances for the club (55 starts) and scored 5 goals. His form has attracted the attention of a number of European clubs though he won’t come cheap. After all, his team-mate Marouane Fellaini was sold to Everton for £15m and if anything Defour is rated as the better prospect.

England is looking a likely destination for the youngster with so many clubs watching him so expect him to join his former team-mate Fellaini in the Premier League come January. So have you been impressed with the Standard Liege Captain’s performances against Everton and Liverpool this season? Does your club need a playmaker with Defour’s qualities of passing? Let’s hear your views.

Tags: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Spurs, Steven Defour, Sunderland

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