Antwerp laud Ejuke for adding defensive work to his game

Royal Antwerp manager Mark Van Bommel has praised Chidera Ejuke for adding more defensive work to his excellent dribbling.

The Nigeria international is enjoying a new lease of life at the Belgian Pro League champions after an underwhelming loan spell at Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin last season.

The 26-year-old scored once and bagged an assist in Antwerp’s 3-0 victory over St. Truiden last weekend.

Ejuke has so far scored three goals in 19 league appearances for the club this season.

The winger is widely noted for his dribbling skill.

Van Bommel has however eulogised him for taking more defensive responsibility.

“Sometimes I also think ‘wow’ when I see the boy’s dribbling,” Van Bommel told VoetbalKrant.

“He came to us as a fantastic dribbler, but the most important thing he learned with us is how to get back to defending.

“He can have fun and make moves on the ball, but then he also has to help the team defensively. He has become more complete.

“You have artists on the ball who let it run defensively; he no longer does that.”