Zeno Debast on controversy: Sporting have cleared it up | OneFootball

Zeno Debast guarantees he will be a central defender this season. The 'number 6' of Sporting has been called up for Belgium’s upcoming fixtures and ended up giving a summary of his first season with the green and white stripes, addressing the change of position to midfield.

"It was a fantastic year. I played football at Anderlecht for fifteen years. Winning two trophies right in my first transfer, the league title and the cup, is phenomenal! My father reminded me that I worked 16 years for this. Of all the great moments, that was the one I memorized. My parents are as passionate about my career as I am and I owe them everything! Whatever happens, they will always be the first people I think of. My family is my strength," he told Humo newspaper.

Zeno does not hide his happiness about his debut year, not forgetting the adversities along the way: "We had three coaches... that says something. First Ruben Amorim, the coach who brought me from Anderlecht and left early for Manchester United. At the same time, the sporting director (Hugo Viana) also went to Manchester City. Coaching changes are nothing new to me, of course, but this was my first transfer."

"When the two people who brought me in leave after just a few months, you start to think... 'What if someone comes in who isn’t interested in me?' The new coach, João Pereira, was dismissed again after just six weeks. Just like with Amorim, I started on the bench but quickly managed to establish myself. The same happened with the third coach, Rui Borges – who praised me a lot –. He’s still here," he added.

Originally signed for the center of defense, Debast ended up finishing the season as a midfielder. However, he guarantees that this season he will be used in his original position: "Due to injuries and suspensions, I ended up in Sporting’s midfield... Since I played very well in that first game, I finished the season there... Why should I be disappointed? I was happy playing. Then, in the Belgian national team, a new coach (Rudi Garcia) came in and asked me which position I liked to play the most... I explained to him that I only played in midfield due to circumstances and told him I feel more comfortable in defense. Sporting has already made it clear that I am a central defender."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.