Goalkeeper Matz Sels insists he had to leave Newcastle on loan this summer, in order to give him the best possible chance of making Belgium’s World Cup squad.
The 25-year-old joined Belgian champions Anderlecht on a season-long loan deal in the summer, after an underwhelming first season at Newcastle.
Having joined the Magpies from Gent in the summer of 2016, big things were expected of the former Belgium under-21 keeper.
He began the season as No 1 but after a series of shaky displays he lost his place to Karl Darlow.
After Rob Elliot recovered from a knee injury, Sels found himself as third choice, and with fierce competition in the Belgium squad, boss Roberto Martinez told him he had to be playing regularly to be considered.
And as Sels explained to Belgian publication ‘Humo’, he felt he had more opportunity to play regular football at Anderlecht.
“I played fifteen matches at Newcastle. That’s not much,” explained Sels.
“I could have stayed and competed, but I estimated my playing opportunities at Anderlecht were higher.
“For the time being I am not worried, there will be enough matches. But it is true that I wanted to keep my World Cup opportunities cool by coming here.
“That was what Roberto Martínez had told me: that I definitely had to play, and that he did not see that happening at Newcastle.
“Now, even if I play at Anderlecht, it does not give me the certainty that I will be there. But by staying with Newcastle and sitting on the bench again, I certainly did not stand a chance.”
For the most part, Sels has been Anderlecht’s number one keeper this season, although he has had to deal with rotation.
New manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck has been rotating between Sels and the experienced Frank Boecx in goal this season.
But with Anderlecht exiting the Belgian Cup last week, and looking likely to be eliminated from European football this evening, Sels hopes the rotation will decrease, allowing him to establish himself as the club’s number one.
“I played a good match against Gent, and a week later I was on the bench. Why? You have to ask him that, he did not give me an explanation.
“I kept the team right: it remained 0-0. If you make a mistake, that choice can still be understood. But now?"
Sels continued: “We have achieved a lot together: my respect for Hein is great, and I think it is mutual. But he continues what Weiler has started with.
“He rotates, not only with his field players, but also with his goalkeepers. I think he does that because of the fast succession of matches.
“We have already been eliminated in the cup, so it will dissolve itself. In my favour, or that of Frank: I do not know that.”