One-cap Super Eagles star Cyriel Dessers has made it clear he wants to become KRC Genk’s first-choice striker when compatriot Paul Onuachu makes his much-anticipated move abroad this summer.
Dessers was the celebrated signing for the Smurfs last year after he finished as the top scorer in the 2019-2020 Eredivisie season.
But Onuachu took the shine off the Nigerian-Belgian striker, seizing the first-choice striker’s role after a string of brilliant performances.
The former FC Midtjylland star ended the campaign with 35 goals in all competitions and the Ebony Shoe award to kick off a scramble for his signature among several European clubs.
With Genk not bulking at the hefty transfer fee slammed on Onuachu, the 27-year-old’s expected move has not materialised even as the Belgian Pro League commenced on Friday.
Still, the Belgian Cup holders have initiated negotiations with Chelsea for another player of Nigerian descent, Ike Ugbo, as Onuachu’s potential replacement.
But Dessers is convinced he is the ideal man to step into Onuachu’s shoes, which showed in his contribution to the team’s last gasp draw at Standard Liege.
The former Heracles ace, who replaced an ineffective Onuachu after the hour, provided the assist to Theo Bongonda’s 92nd-minute equaliser, which salvaged a point for Genk in a tough away tie.
“Paul (Onuachu) had a fantastic season last season; everyone saw that,” Dessers said after the match, as per Sporza.
“Whether he will stay or not is the question for everyone, I think for himself too.
“All I can do is show in the minutes that I get that I am ready when he leaves and that I can stand there.”
“And I think I better show myself quickly, especially with the Champions League matches coming up. So that Genk also has the feeling that I’m there and they can give me the confidence.”
Dessers managed only seven league goals for Genk last season.
Cyriel Dessers tells Genk he’s ready to replace Onuachu
