Inter-owned Belgian defender Zinho Vanheusden is concentrating on developing at Genoa, and ready to see his talent grow with the Ligurian club.

Speaking to Belgian news outlet HLN, the defender spoke about where he feels he is at in his career, and stated that he is glad to be playing in the senior game in Serie A, and happy to have overcome serious knee injuries to get to the point where his talent is on display in the Italian top flight.

Vanheusden returned to Inter this summer from Standard Liege, where the 21-year-old had established a strong reputation, though not yet enough to break into the Nerazzurri first team amid formidable competition for defensive places.

The Belgian is on loan with Genoa, whose first two matches he has appeared in, and he is hopeful that he can build on his successes in the Belgian league to have a strong season with the Griffone and develop as a professional, with the young defender already having received a call-up and with the Belgian national team during the international break.

“I am very happy to be here after my third serious knee injury,” he said. “This is a return to hard work. It is good to be here. I am playing for a new team and my life is different,” but I am happy with my start to the season.”

He went on, “I have no goals in mind for this week. I have to show that I am ready to play and then it is up to the manager. I try to be ready every day and that is why I went to Italy, to meet strong players.”

“In the end, the coach will decide,” he said of whether he’d play for Belgium. “The older generation is still going strong and they too welcome us with open arms. My goal is to be able to go to the World Cup, of course.”

“It’s the best for a footballer. I’ve already had a lot of injuries, but if I play I can be there and if I don’t do well it’s just my fault,” he said.

On his current club, Vanheusden stated, “Perhaps an advantage is that at Genoa we also play with three central defenders. I’ve already played central and right, so it’s also preparing me for the national team.”

Asked about his chances of playing regularly in Serie A, Vanhesuden stated that “You have to ask the coach. But I think at least I’ll get stronger by playing against those good players.”

He continued, “I moved in agreement with Inter, to grow as quickly as possible. Now my focus is only on Genoa, I’m not thinking about Inter yet.”

On his growth as a player Vanhesuden stated, “In Italy I will become stronger tactically. In training the focus is on that aspect, in Belgium it was much more on attack. Every game has been a challenge and I think one day I will return to Standard.”