Three European Cup matches, 15 goals scored, evenly spread over those three matches. That’s impressive, no doubt.
The strike force of Cuypers-Gift Orban accounted for 10 of those goals.
With such firepower you can aim for the top prizes, but this dynamic partnership will most likely be ended soon when Gift Orban makes his major transfer.
Cuypers-Orban, that’s an attack that would be start any game for every team in Belgium. They compliment each other, even though they share many of the same qualities. Both are incredibly focused on goal, have a strong shot and choose the right moment to go in deep.
That is perhaps most impressive: they do not get in each other’s way.
Coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck has pumped it in: if one swerves to the flank, the moves deep. They feel very good about each other.
With such an attack you play for the prizes if you have a good defence. Every match there are chances and they need so little.
But is it realistic that Gift Orban will still be at Gent by September 6? At the moment the answer is a resounding no.
Lille, Tottenham and a number of European top clubs have him on their radar.
If one of those first two push through, they will be unstoppable.
The 21-year-old Nigerian’s market value is 20 Million Euros, but that will not even be close to what Gent want to get for him.
It could even come close to what Club received for Charles De Ketelaere, which was 35.5 Million Euros.
Gent are already in second place in terms of most expensive outgoing transfers ever in the Jupiler Pro League – 27 Million Euros for Jonathan David to… Lille.
Now let that same David be ready to move to the Premier League and Lille look for a replacement… Then you know that a top price for a man who is even more goal-oriented will not be a dream.
Gent cannot afford to reject such an offer.
And Gift Orban himself also thinks he is ready for a bigger competition. Who are we to blame him? But you don’t find such a rough diamond every year. And no matter how good Cuypers is, you don’t play for the top prize with him alone in the attack.
