Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 5:45 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 17:40

Philippe Clement recently spoke with Noa Lang about his future. The attacker, who exchanged Ajax for Club Brugge in October, has been in the spotlight with his good game at various European clubs. Clement tempered the wild rumors and hopes that his pupil will think carefully about a possible next step before closing the doors of the Jan Breydel Stadium behind him for good.

Lang’s good performance has been noticed by Marcelo Bielsa, among others. The manager of Leeds United would like to add the former Ajax player to his selection. “Not long ago I had a conversation with Noa”, says Clement in conversation with The newspapaer. “Then I said one thing to him: ‘Don’t think about your future until after the season. He has confirmed to me that that is his plan too.” The reigning champion of Belgium initially hires Lang from Ajax, to take him over for six million euros in the coming summer and to secure him until mid-2024.

“Noa himself says that it is the first time in his career that he plays so many games in one season, and that in short succession,” continues Clement. “That’s why he needs all his energy on the field now. First become champion with Bruges, then think. I think that’s a very mature attitude for such a young guy.” Bruges is currently in the lead in the championship round and enjoys an eight point lead over John van den Brom’s KRC Genk. On Friday evening, both teams will meet in Genk. Van den Brom managed to seize the Belgian Cup with his team a week and a half ago by beating Standard Liège in the final (1-2).

Henk Houwaart, former player and former scout of Bruges, believes that the share of the Dutch in Bruges cannot be underestimated this season. “The situation would be much less comfortable without those guests,” he tells opposite The last news. “Lang, Bas Dost and Ruud Vormer are all three guys who score and let them score. They are also huge winners. The individual class of Dost and Lang in particular is very important.” According to Houwaart, a longer stay for Lang is therefore essential. “If necessary, give him a new, improved contract. He is well off here and speaks the language. Belgium is a land of paradise for the Dutch.”