After one season as Antwerp’s number one, is Senne Lammens ready for a move to Leeds United and the Premier League? | OneFootball

Antwerp are looking to sell Senne Lammens this summer. Not because the player hasn’t lived up to expectations, quite the opposite in fact. Lammens first campaign as the number one choice in Antwerp was impressive enough for the club to see selling Lammens as a key factor in financing a squad overhaul to compete for a European ticket next season. Manchester United have been linked for a few months now, but Leeds United, newly promoted back to the Premier League, are also said to be seriously considering bringing Lammens to Elland Road. Yet, after just one campaign as a starter, is the young Belgian keeper ready to make the step up?

Leeds fan will likely say that pretty much anyone would be an upgrade on Illan Meslier. The 25-year-old French goalkeeper conspired on a few occasions to stop Leeds from winning games with some big mistakes. It is clearly a position that Daniel Farke will want upgraded this summer. Lammens is two years Meslier’s junior and this past season was his first as undisputed number one, having joined Antwerp from Club Brugge at the start of the 2023/2024 campaign. Half-way through the 2024/2025 Pro League season, Lammens was considered to be the best goalkeeper in the league. His penalty heroics and general shot stopping had impressive many. However, he did drop off somewhat and made a few mistakes as the season wound down, with Anderlecht’s Colin Cooseman ending up being considered the best in the Pro League.

Yet, it would be unfair to discount Lammens season because of this. He still managed 10 clean sheets in 41 games and saved four of the eight penalties he faced. Compared to other goalkeepers in Belgium, he claimed more high balls than 95% of the league. With the ball at his feet, Lammens had a 71.6% pass accuracy according to FotMob, with a 42% long ball success rate. Lammens also conceded 52 goals out of an xG faced of 67.5. It is always difficult to judge a goalkeeper purely on stats, given the factors involved in their success, such as the defenders in front of them. Antwerp were also poor during the play-offs, which will have skewed the data for Lammens. His 77% save percentage does pass the eye test, as he often pulled off some great saves to keep Antwerp in games or give them a chance to win games. Given that Leeds may well be facing more potent attacks next season in the Premier League, this shot stopping ability of Lammens could come in handy.

Stepping up to the Premier League is difficult, especially from the Pro League. Belgium has produced some great goalkeepers in the past, with Thibaut Courtois and Simon Mignolet having played in the Premier League. Lammens could prove to be a success, but it would be wrong to not consider the step up to be a big one. That Antwerp didn’t have European football last season also won’t have helped, as this exposure is incredibly useful for players moving to foreign leagues.

If football manager has taught us anything, its that goalkeepers apparently reach their peak in their late 20s/early 30s. At 23, Lammens has plenty of time, and so far he has shown great ability and potential. Lammens will also enjoy playing in front of the Elland Road faithful, an atmosphere that he is used to given the vocal support Antwerp get at home. He would likely get the fans on side given that he is arguably an upgrade on Meslier. Lammens is unlikely to make as many high profile mistakes as the French goalkeeper, while also making some high quality saves to keep Leeds in games. In one season as Antwerp’s starter, Lammens has shown he has what it takes to step up to a league with higher quality.

Performing in the Premier League could also help Lammens push others for a spot in the Red Devils squad should they qualify for next years World Cup. Belgium have plenty of options in his position, but without Courtois the starting spot is very much up for grabs and dependent on form.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson