Michael Heylen

Michael Heylen

Country: Belgium

Date of birth: 03/01/1994 (19 years old)

Place of birth: Wommelgem (Belgium)

Height: 1,87m

Club career: RSC Anderlecht, KV Kortrijk (loan)

Current national team: Belgium U-21

Position: centre back

Preferred foot: right

Market value (by transfermarkt.de): 600,000 €

Contract until: 30.06.2016

Similar type of player: Laurent Koscielny

Strengths:

– pace

– intercepting

– marking

– ability to read the game

– aerial duels

– toughness

– leadership

Style of play:

– likes to tackle

– clears the ball out of defence often

– likes to play short passes

He is best suited to playing as:

Centre back in 4-2-3-1.

Video:

Achievements:

Viareggio Cup 2013 winner with Anderlecht.

League summary:

Jupiler League 2013/2014 (ongoing): 13 matches/0 goals (KV Kortrijk)

Description:

Michael joined Anderlecht academy from Germinal Beerschot in 2007, as 13 year old. 3 years later he was diagnosed with “Crohn’s disease”. However he made it to the reserve team, became its captain and one of the best young defenders in Belgian football recently. In 2013 he was a captain of Anderlecht youth team that won prestigious Viareggio Cup – one of the most important youth football tournaments in the world. Just before the current season “Les Mauves” decided to loan him out to Kortrijk to gain experience and play regular first team football at the top level. It turned out that it was a very good decision because Michael quickly became an authentic important figure at Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s side. He made his full debut at 14 September 2013 against Gent in a 3-0 home win and until now played 13 matches in Jupiler League. He is also a member and regular starter in Belgium U-21 national team.

Quotes:

“Michael Heylen is a good central defender with great football skills. He deserves this chance.”

(Herman Van Holsbeeck – general manager of Anderlecht, after signing a new contract with Heylen)

Football Talent Scout potential rating:

7/10