The Belgian First Division (or Jupiler Pro League) is reaching its climax. Only one match remains before we finally know who qualifies for which playoff group. Four teams (KV Mechelen, Charleroi, KAA Gent and Racing Genk) are still in the running for the remaining two spots in the Championship Playoff. With this in mind, we thought it would be a good moment to take a look at the ten players who have seen the biggest increase in their SciSkill score. We present you the top 10 biggest risers in the Jupiler Pro League.
What is the SciSkill? The SciSkill score consists of a combination of the attacking, defending and resistance factors (depending on the league) of a player. The growth of the SciSkill is the increase in the SciSkill score in the last six months.
10. Aliko Bala – Zulte Waregem
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +15.6
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 43.7
The 20-year-old Bala joined Zulte Waregem from AS Trencin in January, meaning most of his development took place in Slovakia. The Nigerian winger only played 18 minutes for Zulte so far but was a starter for Trencin in most of their league matches, in which he scored four times.
9. Mahmoud Hassan (Trezeguet) – Royal Excel Mouscron (on loan from Anderlecht)
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +17.5
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 42.3
Mouscron forward Mahmoud Hassan, better known under his football name Trezeguet, is currently on loan from Anderlecht. During his stay in Mouscron, the 22-year-old Egyptian scored three goals and gave four assists for the Belgian red lantern. With this, he is involved in 26% of Mouscron league goals this season.
8. Emmanuel Sowah Adjei – Anderlecht
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +18.8
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 28.0
Right-back Sowah Adjei joined Anderlecht from Ghanese Dreams FC and so far played 9 league matches for the current number two. In the Europa League group stage, he started in four matches, completing the full 90 minutes in three of them.
7. Bryan Heynen – Racing Genk
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +20.3
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 48.5
The first Belgian in the list, Heynen came through Genk’s youth ranks and has been a starting player for 16 of his club’s league matches this season, playing in over half of the available minutes. The 20-year old defensive midfielder also played in six Europa League matches (three starts).
6. Silvere Ganvoula – KVC Westerlo (on loan from Anderlecht)
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +20.6
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 48.0
Ganvoula has had a good season for KVC Westerlo so far, scoring nine goals and assisting two more. His performances led to Anderlecht buying him this winter (around €1.2 mil.), although the forward will finish the season with his current club. The 20-year-old Congolese had only just joined Westerlo last summer on a free transfer.
5. Mbwana Samatta – Racing Genk
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +21.2
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 65.2
Samatta has scored 10 league goals and assisted two for Genk this season. He started the season on the bench but quickly earned a spot in the starting eleven. The Tanzanian (24 years) played in every Europa League match so far, playing the full 90 minutes in the last four games (two goals, one assist).
4. Jean Thierry Lazare Amani – KAS Eupen
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +23.1
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 29.5
This is Lazare Amani’s first season as a senior player and immediately he became a starting player for mid-table Eupen. Playing as a central midfielder, the Ivorian teenager scored two goals and gave four assists. His exposure to playing time at the senior level severely impacted his SciSkill score, more than quadrupling his score of six months ago.
3. Samuel Kalu – KAA Gent
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +23.5
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 52.9
Nigerian winger Kalu moved to Gent from AS Trencin this winter, which means that most of his development took place in Slovakia. Since his arrival in Belgium, the 19-year-old played in seven of the possible eight league matches, already assisting three goals while scoring one.
2. Henry Onyekuru – KAS Eupen
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +23.6
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 54.3
Onyekuru was already linked with big clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea in the last transfer window, but the Nigerian will finish the season with Eupen. The club, currently in 11th position, has benefited massively from the forward’s contribution. With 12 goals and 7 assists, he is involved in almost half of the club’s goals scored. It seems unlikely that the teenager will still play for Eupen after this summer, so the question is: where will he play next?
1. Landry Dimata – KV Oostende
SciSkill development relative to the previous six months: +27.8
Average SciSkill Score last six months: 41.7
The number one on our list is Dimata, who has been an attacking force for Oostende this season. Number four Oostende already qualified for the Championship Playoff, partly due to Dimata’s offensive contribution (11 goals and 3 assists). 19-year-old Dimata was born in Congo, but has represented the various Belgian national youth teams and is already being linked with the senior national team. His SciSkill score has benefited from the playing time, more than doubling over the last six months.
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