Anderlecht legend Paul Van Himst has urged Youri Tielemans to shrug off the interest of Europe’s top clubs and stay put at the club.
The 19-year old midfielder has been regarded as one of Europe’s hottest prospects for some time and has started the season in fine form, scoring three goals in seven Pro League games to lift Anderlecht into third place.
Most of Europe’s elite have kept tabs on Tielemans’ progress, and Manchester United are favourites to sign the Belgian under-21 international next summer, according to Goal, but face stiff competition from Chelsea to secure his services.
However, Van Himst (who spent most of his career at Anderlecht before managing the Brussels club) believes the talented youngster still has much to accomplish in Belgium before he can consider moving abroad.
“Tielemans first has to become Anderlecht’s star performer and win the Golden Shoe [awarded to the Pro League’s best player] to be ready for [a transfer] abroad,” he told Voetbalkrant.
Van Himst, who is a three-time winner of the Golden Shoe, doesn’t believe winning the award would necessarily prepare Tielemans for a lucrative move abroad, but the 72-year old believes that it would show that he is delivering consistent performances.
“It would prove that he has played a full year at a high level,” Van Himst added. “And that’s what I’m waiting for from Tielemans”.
