Nigerian striker Gift Orban must contribute more to Gent’s pressing and overall performance if he has to become a regular starter in the team again according to his coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck.
Vanhaezebrouck called the player out after their 1-1 draw against Union Saint-Gilloise on Sunday.
Orban started the game from the bench again as he was brought in the 84th minute following shouts by fans but he couldn’t make any impact.
While explaining his late substitution, the coach admitted Orban had less time to prepare for the game due to a knock.
However, he also lashed out at the fans who called for his inclusion during the game, as he drew comparison between Orban and some of his teammates.
“He was hit by Delaney and was in the rag for two weeks, so he was only able to train for two days,” Vanhaezebrouck said via Voetbalkrant.
“If he is fit in training, then we will see who plays. But how many goals has he already scored this season? And a striker does more than just score goals.
“Do you think we would get four chances thanks to pressing with Gift Orban on the field? He has trained for two days, you have to stay serious.
“Tarik Tissoudali misses a few open chances, but he does help create those chances. By putting pressure, by making an action. Not many teams can afford a striker who only kicks in by hitting the right place.”
Vanhaezebrouck’s reaction suggests that the relationship between him and Orban have gone south since the 21-year-old came out to express his frustration about the lack of game time earlier this season.
He has started just six games in the Jupiler Pro League this season and has only one goal since the start of September. In 12 league appearances, he has three goals.
However, Orban has also shown his goalscoring prowess in the UEFA Conference League with four goals including a hattrick he scored in their 3-2 away win over Breidablik in September.
Orban was linked with a move to Tottenham and other clubs in the summer and he is still linked with a departure from Gent in January but it remains to be seen whether the broken relationship with Vanhaezebrouck will hasten his departure.