Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ME ACADEMY Origi’s success is a huge source of pride to the man in charge of one of world’s best training grounds for top-flight stars of the future
GENK technical director Dimitri de Conde has seen some of Europe’s top names come off their remarkable production line. Kevin D e
Bruyne,
Thibaut
Courtois,
Christian
Benteke,
Wilfred Ndidi and Kalidou Koulibaly, to name but a few.
But there is another who gives De Conde particular pride – as Liverpool striker Divock Origi came through the ranks at the reigning Belgian champions.
And it was no surprise to De Conde, 44, when Origi proved to be one of Liverpool’s unlikely heroes when they won the Champions Group E: 8pm
League last season, scoring the winner in the dramatic semi-final with Barcelona before sealing victory in the final against Spurs.
De Conde (right) said: “He is a fantastic person, his family are very supportive, I played with his father Mike and he has the same respect for the game.
“Divock puts so much effort in, he is a team player and, even though he doesn’t start every game, he is just as determined as every other player.
“That is the perfect quality to have in your squad and why he deserved his chance in the Champions League and the reason that he scored in the final – he gives everything.”
Origi joined Genk as a youngster, before moving to Lille as a 15-year-old. But, by then, Genk’s values had already been instilled in the Belgium striker.
They demand strict behaviour – rules like no earrings, no headphones, only black shoes – and will always give youth its chance as they play the same 4-3-3 system throughout the club, so the players know the tactic perfectly when they get into the first team.
But they make absolutely no apologies for being a selling club, choosing the right moment for both Genk and the player to move them on.
Colombian centre-backs
Jhon Lucumi,
21, and
Carlos
Cuesta, 20, and 21-yearold Belgian keeper Gaetan
Coucke are the latest youngsters to catch the eye.
De Conde said: “It’s our philosophy – and Origi was part of that. Our average age in our first Champions League game was 22.8, which was by far the youngest in the Champions League.
“We’ve shown we are not afraid to pick youth, the spine of our team – the keeper, centre-halves and the No.6 – were all young, with an average age of 20.
“It’s about development, but it also has to be about results. You do get questions when you lose, but you must be true to your
philosophy. But we also have to make sure they are ready to make a success of their careers. Leandro Trossard went to Brighton and he has been unlucky with injury, but he’ll be more than OK in the Premier League.”
De Conde has particular admiration for Liverpool and the way Jurgen Klopp has embraced the club’s values. He added: “This game is the one everybody is looking forward to, it’s been sold out for weeks. We are playing the biggest team in the Premier League and the European champions.
“But it’s also because of a very good philosophy at Liverpool.
“Klopp has developed a style of players, brought in the young players and given them confidence.
“But we should also respect the fact that the image of Liverpool is not one of big investment.
“The image of Liverpool is different, a club of the people, one that develops and respects players and that connection is so important.”