'That's a mistake' - Belgium icon suggests ex-Club Brugge coach negatively impacted Onyedika

Belgium icon Franky Van der Elst believes that former Club Brugge coach Ronny Deila had a negative impact on Raphael Onyedika following the brilliant performance of the midfielder in the UEFA Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund.

Deila guided Club Brugge to the Jupiler Pro League title last season with Onyedika playing no small role in the triumph, most notably in the play-offs.

The 23-year-old scored three goals in the playoffs after the departure of Ronny Deila in March 2024.

Onyedika has picked up where he left off last season, impressing under new boss Nicky Hayen and he grabbed the headlines for his performance against Borussia Dortmund, despite Club Brugge losing to the German Bundesliga side.

Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad via VoetbalPrimeur, Franky Van der Elst was impressed with the Super Eagles midfielder's performance against the German giants and revealed that Deila had been a stumbling block in his progress.

"Last season was a bit less, because... (choosing his words) Ronny Deila apparently didn't see it in him," he said. 

"Yes. That's a mistake by Deila. Or no, I'm going to call it a mistake. That's better

'Deila was certainly an expensive bird for Club Brugge. I see that Onyedika's market value was 13 million euros before Deila arrived. 

"When he left, it had dropped to 10 million euros. So he cost Club three million"

Club Brugge tried disposing of the Nigeria international and the midfielder also tried forcing a late move to Galatasaray but his effort proved abortive despite a reported personal agreement with the Turkish giants.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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