I thought he played extremely well for most of the game... I actually don't think he deserved much blame for the goal... despite the aerial won that happened to be picked off by the other team. So I didn't ding him for that... but after that goal was conceded he had two horrid clearance attempts that he failed to get into the air that ended up getting intercepted in what could have been dangerous spots. Those were the two blemishes on what I thought was his best game of the season. Tons of good tackles, interceptions and aerial duels. He still seems like a work in progress to me so I am happy he is getting a run of starts. I think he deserves it. I do worry that 6'0" is just a tad short WRT being an elite CB but I assume there are any number of exceptions.
Interestingly, CCV is listed at 6'1", and one of the issues he has is his lack of height and aerial game (at least in non-Scottish League football). So I don't know that your supposition about his height is too far off.
McKenzie gets the start against top of the table (and league top scorers) Union St Gilloise. Game starts at 10 pm eastern on ESPN+. Onze startende ELF. 🔵⚪#krcgenk #mijnploeg #usggnk pic.twitter.com/DOfBy17LPL— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) January 23, 2022
Out in the 67th: WISSEL 🔄Paul Onuachu komt Iké Ugbo vervangen.Carlos Cuesta komt Mark McKenzie vervangen.#krcgenk #mijnploeg #usggnk— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) January 23, 2022 Wild game. Genk gave up a goal in the final minute of added time (chalked off for offside) and *then* gave up a penalty to lose 2-1 in the 100th minute (on 4 minutes of added time).
lol wow. Genk has had so many games like that in the past year it feels like. McKenzie still seems to be getting courtesy minutes and starts but he really need some stability. Though really, seems like the whole team needs that. EDIT: I also want to bring up I have never seen a team sub CBs in and out as often as Genk. And this isn't just like it happened once today because McKenzie was bad (and Fotmob has him at a 7.0, so he seemed fine). I noticed it even last year when McKenzie first arrived - he was subbed in a few times. And when McKenzie was playing well and for full games, the coach would be subbing in/out the CB next to him and rotating starters. It's all very, very weird. I don't know what it going on there.
USG is a legacy club in Belgium but they've been toiling away for years. I think they just got promoted this season, so it's an interesting storyline to follow
Their majority owner since nid-2018 is Brighton owner Tony Bloom. A former top-level professional poker player who's made a good deal of money in real estate, gaming and data analysis for gambling syndicates, his record at Brighton is one of keeping his cash tight until he identifies decisive moments or key areas for maximum impact. Belgium has a few clubs owned/controlled by EPL clubs or their owners. This NYT piece has interesting details about Bloom's role in USG as well as other EPL sides in their Belgian ventures. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/26/sports/soccer/premier-league-money-union-brighton.html
The coach clearly likes to rotate his CBs. I haven't followed the team so don't know if he does that with other field positions either, but game-to-game CB choices don't seem like they are based on performance. McKenzie has played in, I believe, 22 of his team's 34 total games this season.
You're right.. there has been a steady centerback rotation. But It has been the case now for two managers. Storck was hired in December and he has been using the similar rotation Van Den Brom used
My understanding when McKenzie signed in January of 2021 it was with the expectation that the Jhon Lucumi and Carlos Cuesta, A pair of young Colombian international CB's for Genk, would be sold in the summer window, or at least one of them. That hasn't materialized for whatever reasons.
And not only that, but the CB cover they signed in the summer from the Spanish THIRD tier - Sadick, has played more often than pretty much anyone expected. And no hate on him, he has been fine, but even Genk fans were not expecting anything from a third division CB. so instead of 1 or 2 of the first choice CBs being sold and opening a spot for McKenzie, both have stayed AND they have introduced a 4th CB into the mix.
Here's a short interview with McKenzie from a couple days ago: http://yanks-abroad.co/2022/01/24/ya-exclusive-mckenzie-comments-on-upcoming-qualifiers/
He's back after the break: 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗘 🔵⚪▶ Preciado en McKenzie terug, eerste selectie voor belofte Yentl Van Genechten (21).#krcgenk #mijnploeg #ohlgnk https://t.co/aZm0hPS290— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) February 8, 2022 And we learned that Genk has a player named "Yentl."
What's the deal there? Has he been so-so or has his competition just been on Fire? Wasn't he brought in to replace some player they figured would get a big move?
Posted a strong 7.5 rating on Sofascore for the game. Mark's been solid for them by that measure when given the opportunity. He's the highest rated CB on the team. So I don't think you can look at it as reflective of failure he's not a starter for them yet. It may just be they are a seller's club but haven't been able to pull the trigger yet on Lucumi or Cuesta, & barring disastrous performances by them, don't want to hurt their stock thru a benching. So Mark has to bide his time, which could come during the summer window. Then he'd be up to the next station on the conveyer belt.
Genk have played 26 matches so far. McKenzie 15 games, 12 starts Sadick 16 games, 16 starts Cuesta 15 games, 10 starts Lucumí 19 games, 16 starts