{"id":1128592,"date":"2021-06-27T16:00:34","date_gmt":"2021-06-27T15:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1128592"},"modified":"2021-06-29T11:10:39","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T10:10:39","slug":"famous-genk-players-de-bruyne-origi","status":"publish","type":"cult-corner","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/cult-corner\/famous-genk-players-de-bruyne-origi\/","title":{"rendered":"Genk’s scouting system deserves a medal for services to Premier League football"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’ve never heard of K.R.C. Genk, it’s about time you got to know them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With a famous youth academy and claim to be one of Belgium\u2019s top football clubs, the three-time winners of the Belgian First Division title have had some serious talent come through their doors.<\/p>\n

With the academy pitch purpose-built and right next to the stadium, the system Genk have in place is world class, and when you see some of the players they\u2019ve taken under their large wing at some point in their careers, you’ll see it’s paying off big-time.<\/p>\n

The latest example is Sander Berge, a player watched by Napoli and Liverpool<\/a> before finally ending up with one-time Premier League surprise package, Sheffield United.<\/p>\n

In fact, his path is a well-trodden one, many who have donned a Genk jersey have found themselves playing in England’s top division as you’ll find out.
\n<\/p>\n

Kevin De Bruyne<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Genk period: <\/strong>1999-2012
\n Current club: <\/strong>Manchester City
\n Record transfer: <\/strong>\u00a355m (to Manchester City)<\/p>\n

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Having first joined Genk at the age of eight, De Bruyne stayed with the club for the majority of his youth and the first four senior years of his career\u00a0at Genk, too. It wasn\u2019t until 2012 that he moved to the Premier League with Chelsea after impressing in Champions League matches against the Blues. De Bruyne then spent two years with VfL Wolfsburg after being loaned to Werder Bremen.<\/p>\n

He joined Manchester City before the 2015\/16 season began and has blossomed since Pep Guardiola took charge. De Bruyne is now among the finest central midfielders in the world.<\/p>\n

Leon Bailey<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Genk period:<\/strong> 2015-2017
\nCurrent club:<\/strong> Bayer Leverkusen
\nRecord transfer:<\/strong> \u00a317m (to Bayer Leverkusen)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

One of the hottest young prospects across Europe during his period at Genk a number of super clubs were linked with Leon Bailey’s signature, including Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United, but he’d ultimately join Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen after registering 24 goals across 113 appearances for the Belgian side. Since moving to Germany the Jamaican winger continues to live up to his potential.<\/p>\n

Yannick Carrasco<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Genk period: <\/strong>2005-2010
\n Current club: <\/strong>Atl\u00e9tico Madrid
\n Record transfer: <\/strong>\u00a326.5m (to Dalian Yifang)<\/p>\n

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Another long-term Genk resident, Carrasco spent the better part of five years with the Belgian side after flitting between three previous youth teams. He progressed through the Monaco set-up, coming up from the B team in just two seasons. Carrasco joined Atletico at the beginning of the 2015\/16 season and scored an equaliser against Real Madrid in the 2016 Champions League final.<\/p>\n

Since then, he has gone on to become a major part of Diego Simeone’s attacking system. Carrasco joined Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang at the end of the 2017\/18 season, before returning to Atleti initially on loan in January 2020.<\/p>\n

Christian Benteke<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Genk period: <\/strong>2006-2009, 2011-12
\n Current club:\u00a0<\/strong>Crystal Palace
\n Record transfer: <\/strong>\u00a332.5m (to Liverpool)<\/p>\n

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A prolific goalscorer in past seasons, Benteke moved to\u00a0Liverpool in the summer of 2015 but would only secure 1,529 minutes of football in his debut campaign with the Reds.<\/p>\n

At Genk, Benteke played for four total seasons. One of those came upon returning to the club after a spell at Standard Li\u00e8ge (a club from which he originally joined Genk’s Under-17s) and Benteke also completed other loans at KV Kortrijk and then KV Mechelen. At Palace, the Belgian has scored 33 goals in 146 appearances.<\/p>\n

Kalidou Koulibaly<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Genk period:<\/strong> 2012-2014
\nCurrent club:<\/strong> Napoli
\nRecord transfer:<\/strong> \u00a36.5m (to Napoli)<\/p>\n

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Napoli are certain to make a profit on their imperious centre-back if he chooses to move on anytime soon. Kalidou Koulibaly, who has made over 200 appearances for the Neapolitan outfit, is widely considered among the best in his position and recently seen his name being associated with Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester City. He would cost a few bob if the Napoli owner’s comments are anything to go by, mind…<\/p>\n

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Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis on Kalidou Koulibaly: "in England, they paid \u00a385 million for a player [Harry Maguire]. In Napoli, I would pay \u00a330-\u00a335 million. With that in mind, I think Koulibaly's value is \u00a3250 million if they paid that much for that guy." pic.twitter.com\/bSJ7fyVfcb<\/a><\/p>\n

— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) August 9, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n