The subject of today's scouting report, brought to you in association with our friends at
Championship Manager, is Belgium and Standard Liège midfielder
Steven Defour.
This wily playmaker has already been linked with several Premier League sides, and it's no surprise given his performances in Europe in 2008/09 saw him dubbed 'the Belgian
Fabregas' by some pundits.
Phil Brown will be pleased...
Name: Steven Defour
Date of Birth: 15th April 1988
Nationality: Belgian
Club: Standard Liège (Belgium)
Position: Central Midfielder
Transfer Value: £12 million
Career History
Steven Defour initially played for KV Mechelen’s youth team before joining KRC Genk aged 16. He broke into the Genk side aged 17 and quickly became one of the side’s most important players, linking the play and creating chances for his teammates. By 2006 he was on the radar of Belgium’s larger clubs, and it was Standard Liège who pounced first, bringing him to the Stade Maurice Dufrasne where he is now captain. He was named the most valuable player in Belgium in 2007 and has twice helped Standard win the Belgian league in 2008 and 2009, a feat they previously hadn’t managed since the early 80s. Defour is already an established member of the Belgian national team and is under contract at Standard until 2013.
Playing Style
A playmaker who looks to create chances for his teammates and works hard to help the team retain possession.
Strengths
A good passer with an excellent work rate and real leadership qualities – he was named captain of Standard Liège aged just 19.
Weakness
Not the most imposing in an aerial battle and isn’t the best header of the ball. His shooting could also do with some work if he wants to add goals to his game.
What Next?
Defour played well for Standard Liège in Europe during 2008/09, as the Belgian side beat
Everton, Sevilla and Sampdoria in the UEFA Cup, having earlier given Liverpool a scare in the Champions League qualifying stages. This alerted several clubs from Serie A and the Premier League, although
Chelsea’s scouts actually initially watched him before he moved to Standard Liège.
Aston Villa and
Liverpool have been rumoured to be interested in signing him, but the strongest links have been with
Arsenal and Marseille.
Ratings
• Overall: 8.5
• Shooting: 4.0
• Passing: 8.0
• Heading : 3.0
• Tackling: 6.9
• Pace: 7.5
• Work-rate: 9.5
• Crossing : 6.5
• Creativity: 8.0
• Dribbling: 7.5
