Aston Villa loanee Leander Dendoncker has faced criticism following remarks made after Anderlecht’s recent 2-1 loss to Club Brugge in the Belgian Pro League.
Acting as Anderlecht’s captain, Dendoncker expressed his disappointment with his teammates, attributing the defeat to a lack of enthusiasm and commitment compared to their opponents. Speaking with DAZN, he noted Club Brugge’s visible determination, suggesting his team lacked the same drive on the field.
However, Dendoncker’s comments didn’t sit well with former Belgian international Marc Degryse, who was vocal in his disapproval. In an interview with *Het Laatste Nieuws*, Degryse described Dendoncker’s criticism as “un-Anderlecht,” implying that such remarks were unbecoming of a captain.
According to Degryse, Dendoncker’s public criticism reflected poorly on his leadership qualities, especially in a period of inconsistent performances from Anderlecht.
Degryse further emphasized his dissatisfaction, remarking that he had “never seen so little enthusiasm from a captain” who should lead by example. He pointed out that Anderlecht’s inability to show collective willpower, especially in front of a home crowd, was unacceptable.
Dendoncker’s interview, where he highlighted Club Brugge’s superior “enthusiasm and sharpness,” also drew specific criticism from Degryse, who found the statement disappointing and atypical of Anderlecht’s culture.
This season, Dendoncker has featured prominently for Anderlecht, making eight appearances across the Belgian league and Europa League, with seven of those matches as captain. Since joining Aston Villa from Wolves in 2022 for £13 million, Dendoncker has struggled to secure a consistent role.
Despite showing promise, he was primarily a substitute under Villa’s head coach Unai Emery. In January 2024, Villa sent Dendoncker on loan to Napoli, where he performed decently but did not secure a permanent move, resulting in his subsequent loan to Anderlecht, with an option for the Belgian club to buy him for £7 million.
Aston Villa’s plans regarding Dendoncker remain uncertain, with the club reportedly aiming to sell him in 2025, likely viewing his future outside of Villa Park. The option for Anderlecht to sign him permanently could be influenced by his recent comments, which have brought his leadership into question both in Belgium and back at his parent club.
As Dendoncker navigates his loan spell, his criticism of Anderlecht’s team spirit has sparked broader conversations about his role and long-term future, potentially complicating his position both at Anderlecht and within Aston Villa’s plans.