Union Sint-Gillis’s core outshines rivals despite smaller squad

On a sun‑lit Saturday at the Stade Joseph Marien, Union Saint‑Gilloise’s bench featured the likes of Olaru, Florucz, Rodriguez and De Roeve, a line‑up that underlines the depth of David Hubert’s core despite the club’s modest 26‑man squad and the early‑season momentum they have generated.

Squad size and depth

Union Saint‑Gilloise travel to October with a core of twenty‑two outfield players and four goalkeepers, totalling twenty‑six members in the Jupiler Pro League. That figure is lower than Gent, Anderlecht (thirty‑three), Antwerp and Genk (thirty‑one) or Bruges (twenty‑eight). Yet the reduced size translates into a higher player‑density, a point highlighted by Stéphane Lecaillon.

The club does not rely on young home‑grown talent in the A‑team, but the quality of the available players compensates. A bench that includes Olaru, Florucz, Rodriguez and De Roeve provides a deep reservoir of experience and international pedigree. Their combined international experience adds a tactical flexibility rarely seen in clubs of similar size.

Coach's approach and minutes distribution

Coach David Hubert stresses a philosophy of collective responsibility. “We like to work with a core where everyone knows they will have a role to play,” said Philippe Bormans after the injury to Argentine midfielder Kevin Mac Allister, adding that the club will not sign a free defender to cover the loss. “All transferred players have quality and a role to play. It’s up to them to show it,” he continued.

Only two squad members have not yet featured this season: Anouar Ait El Hadj, caught in a post‑transfer complication, and Ivan Pavlic, edged out in midfield. Chibani is still recovering from a pre‑season injury, while Aquino has logged ten minutes as he adapts to European competition. Overall, Hubert has fielded twenty‑one different players in league and Europa League matches, compared with fifteen under his predecessor Leko.

Bruges dominate Belgian market values as Union and rivals lag

Last season the club saw more squad members either unused – Kavlashvili, Teunckens, Pavlic and Guilherme – or limited to under forty‑five minutes – François, Barry, Makate, Giger and Fuseini. The increased rotation has also helped maintain performance levels across the congested schedule of league, Europa League and cup fixtures.

Value and bench productivity

Transfermarkt values Union Saint‑Gilloise’s squad at €93.7 million, the fourth‑most expensive in the Belgian elite behind Anderlecht (€93.8 million), Genk (€98.5 million) and Bruges (€199 million). When the total is divided by the twenty‑six players, the average cost reaches €3.6 million per individual, placing the club second only to an untouchable side priced at €7.11 million per player.

Against Antwerp, the bench featured Florucz, Olaru, Rodriguez and Aquino – each valued at over €3 million – illustrating the monetary depth. De Roeve, fresh from a strong showing with Belgium’s U21s, and Rob Schoofs would be starters at three‑quarters of the league’s other clubs. The nine substitutes on that day were collectively worth €23 million, up from €14 million a year earlier.

Raul Florucz has already netted three goals after coming off the bench, earning him the label of the championship’s “supersub”. In total, Union have five goal‑scoring entrants in the Pro League – Florucz, Hurtevent, Guilherme, Mofokeng and De Roeve – and three decisive passers – Rodriguez, Schoofs and Fuseini – making their bench the most prolific in the top tier. Such contributions have propelled Union to the top of the table after seven rounds, with a superior goal difference.