It remains strange, (former) Ghent strongman is also not at Anderlecht: 'You can't lock them in' – Football News

Without Hugo Kuipers, KAA Gent lost 4-1 to STVV this week and now also 1-0 to RSC Anderlecht. The Buffaloes searched for a replacement for him, but could not find one on transfer deadline day. So Kuipers wasn't allowed to leave after all?

Oh, yes? Apparently, because Kuipers had already signed with MLS side Chicago Fire on Thursday. The deal has not yet become official, but the transfer market in the United States will remain open for a long time.

Meanwhile, Kuipers could still have been in service for the Buffaloes, but that didn't happen. He was also not on the bench at Anderlecht, although there is a less severe shortage of strikers due to the return of Tarik Tissodale from the African Cup.

But still: Depoiter and Tisodale at striker, this is still something different than having Kuiper or Gift Urban as a second striker. Laurent Depoitre is on his way back after a long spell out injured, but even Hein Vanhaysbrouck was in a critical condition a week ago. “He wasn't really good in training this week,” he said of the late substitute against Westerlo.

Stressful weeks for everyone?

But Vanhisbrouck can no longer rely on Kuipers, even though on Thursday he asked him to sit on the bench. As long as he doesn't have to go to the US, this could be a solution.

So it doesn't get to that point. “You cannot lock players up,” Michel Loague also said in a press conference on Friday. Therefore a return to the position should not be expected and Ghent should pay special attention to what will develop in the coming weeks towards the top six.