Rising Moroccan Star Bilal El Khannouss Sets Sights on Genk Playoffs After World Cup Debut

Bilal El Khannouss is a young player full of talent, destined for a beautiful and great future on the pitches of the biggest championships. The young Moroccan player is happy to have scored his first goal as a pro under the colors of Genk. "I had been waiting for it for a very long time. It was tormenting me not to score. We play football for that. I felt a real liberation," he said in an interview with la Dernière Heure. A first goal scored against Anderlecht, the club where he played for a decade (5 to 15 years). "Honestly, it didn’t do anything to me. A goal is a goal. Whether I score against Anderlecht, Ostende or Virton, it doesn’t change anything... it’s been four years since I’ve been at Genk. Anderlecht is the past," he said.

The Moroccan international explains that he had a "difficult" last season in his former club. "I didn’t play too much. And when I was on the pitch, they put me in a defensive midfield role, a position that is not mine," he confides, however recalling that he has good memories of his time at Anderlecht, like this "tournament in Tokyo. I was 14 years old... It’s one of my best experiences. Thanks to the Mauves, I visited dozens of countries, won many tournaments and played with lots of good players. There is no resentment."

At Genk, his integration was quick. "They welcomed me with open arms. The atmosphere is more family-oriented here than at Anderlecht," says the Genk player who has gained the trust of Wouter Vrancken this summer. "Everything changed before the match against Standard at the start of the season. It was a hectic week. Ito was leaving for Reims. Lucumi was not sure to play. Dessers was on his way out. Then Oyen got injured. The coach came to see me saying he was ready to give me a chance," he details, admitting to feeling "no pressure. It shows on a pitch. I just enjoy every moment that is offered to me."

For the 18-year-old player, the goal is to win the playoff title. "It’s not time to let go. The success against Anderlecht did us good. We are ready for the playoffs," he assures, specifying that "it’s a childhood dream come true. I sacrificed a lot of things to reach this level. When the others went on vacation, I stayed in Belgium to train." El Khannouss plans to stay "another year" at Genk.

"I’m thriving in Limburg. After that, everyone knows that in football, anything can happen very quickly," he says, indicating that he dreams of playing in La Liga. "I’m learning Spanish right now. I already speak French, Dutch, English and Arabic fluently. Spain is real football. In England, City plays football like I like it. It looks like they’re playing in Spain. That could appeal to me (smiles)," he concludes.