On July 29, 2023, Anouar Ait El Hadj made his first championship match with Gênk, a highlight for the player who had been titularized by Wouter Vrancken. Aware of the past difficulties that had threatened his promising career, including a lack of seriousness and the physical problems highlighted by Vincent Kompany in Anderlecht, he had decided to surround himself with a personal coach. This approach, after being warned several times, demonstrates his willingness to refocus and master his potential.

At Gênk, the same mental concerns had resurfaced, a profile that did not correspond to the expectations of the SG Union at the time. However, his physical efforts at Gênk revealed impressive statistics, including an average of 12 kilometres travelled per game and high cleaning qualities. These data, analysed by Starlizard’s algorithms, highlighted a need for a reassuring framework that the SG Union has been able to offer with key players such as Bart Meert and Kevin Mirallas.

The SG Union environment allowed Ait El Hadj to develop a consistency that he had previously missed, oscillating between good and bad matches in Anderlecht and Gênk. He became a modern game leader, as Peter Vandenbempte pointed out, and the SG Union was able to identify a potential that other clubs had neglected. This evolution reflects the team’s ability to identify and develop talent, offering Ait El Hadj a space where it can flourish and fully express its qualities.