Gerkens credits Alhassan Yusuf for his incredible transformation at Royal Antwerp

Royal Antwerp midfielder Pieter Gerkens has hailed Nigerian-born midfielder Alhassan Yusuf for helping him become a better midfielder.

Gerkens, Yusuf and former Roma star Radja Nainggolan are the first-choice midfield trio employed by Royal Antwerp manager Mark van Bommel since the start of the 2022/23 season.

The Van Bommel-led side are on a 100% record in the Belgian Pro League, having won all seven of their league matches to stay on top of the table.

With both Yusuf and Gerkens featured in all seven of those matches, the pair have struck up a winning partnership in the middle of the park to propel Royal Antwerp to victories.

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Gerkens, who had previous spells with Anderlecht and KRC Genk, has seen his career take off again and he noted that he owes that to Yusuf perfectly complementing his skills.

The 27-year-old Belgian midfielder told voetbalkrant: "I'm happy that I can play so much and be part of this team. Many did not expect me here, maybe not myself. But it works between me and Yusuf."

Gerkens went on to praise Alhassan Yusuf's running and mopping-up actions on the pitch, stating that the Nigerian midfielder's work rate often covers up for his mistakes.

"He has a lot of running capacity and cleans up a lot. We are closing the gaps for each other," Gerkens enthused.

"My known infiltrations are barely coming out now. Yusuf and I mainly take care of the supply and there is enough opulence in the front."

Royal Antwerp will expect to maintain their unbeaten streak in the Belgian Pro League when they face bottom-placed Cercle Brugge away at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Sunday, September 11.