Bob Peeters says he always knew the capture of Yoni Buyens would make Charlton supporters quickly get over the disappointment of losing Diego Poyet to West Ham.
One of the few highlights from a traumatic 2013-14 season was the emergence of homegrown academy midfielder Poyet into the first team during the second half of the campaign.
His impressive form helped secure the player of the year accolade, but Poyet’s refusal to sign a new contract in SE7 allowed the highly-rated midfielder to link up with the Hammers in the summer.
However, Poyet remains on the fringes at Upton Park whereas Buyens has already become a key figure at The Valley, scoring the winning penalty against Watford on Saturday to ensure the Addicks remain unbeaten going into tonight’s meeting with Wolves.
And that form has led Charlton’s head coach to claim Poyet would quickly become a forgotten figure at his former club.
“I played with Yoni when he was 17-18 and I saw already great potential in him,” explained Peeters.
“When Standard gave me a hint that he was available for loan he was the first player I signed because he will bring you balance.
“At that moment there were already some issues with Diego Poyet.
“I knew that Poyet was a great talent but I knew that within two months nobody will even mention him anymore because Yoni Buyens was, with (William) Vainqueur who left Standard as well, for me was part of the best central midfield partnership in Belgium.
Diego Poyet in action for Charlton before joining West Ham
“At Standard, they kept him a bit more in his position and he lost a bit of freedom to be the player he can be.
“I talked with him a few weeks ago and he said to me he feels relieved because now he can show what a player he can be.”
Peeters added: “Some people come and see him now and say they didn’t see him play last season the way he is playing here.
“But he is happy, he is enjoying it and he knows what to do.
“For me it is good that my players are happy and can show I made the right decision signing them.”
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