Belgium is lambasted for being “Boring”. The film In Bruges takes great fun at comparing the Belgian city to hell and as Colin Farrell says “What’s Belgium famous for? Chocolates and child abuse, and they only invented the chocolates to get to the kids.” It seems that Belgium has become the butt of most jokes.
But look deeper into the national team and you will see a side with some incredibly talented players that England would be desperate for.
The centre back partnership of Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen shows the strength of their starting 11 but add to the mix the two Ajax centre backs waiting in the wings, Toby Alderwield and Spurs bound Jan Vertonghen is a strength in depth that England and most international sides would be envious off.
Add to the mix Manchester City’s young centre back Dedryck Boyata and Bayern Munich’s Daniel Van Buyten, caretaker manager Marc Wilmots has plenty of options in defence.
In the midfield Wilmots has a bevy of starts to choose from. Everton’s Marouane Fellaini is the stand out choice. The impressive player finally proved his worth with a man of the match performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford late in the season. Axel Witsel and Steven Defour provide competition to the Everton man.
FF
The impressive thing about the national side is the fluidity between the midfield and the attack. With players like the highly sort after Moussa Dembele, Kevin Mirallas, Nacer Chadli and Dries Mertens. If and when the Belgium FA appoint a full time manager and not a caretaker then it will have to be a manger that can turn the Belgium side into a real European force.
It would be an exciting job for any coach to take over. Especially with a man who looks destined for Chelsea Eden Hazard. One of the most exciting European players for a long time. Even though he was less than impressive at Wembley on Saturday but the buzz around the 21 year old is incredible. A player experienced beyond his age looks destined for the top and it would believable that he will lead Belgium in the future and possibly be Belgium’s greatest player.
Upfront the exciting Romelu Lukaku can also lead the country to glory. Even though he had a disappointing season and also made the complaints public he still has a bright future ahead of him at international and club level. Blessed with pace, power and precision it seems that the young vibrant striker can become the countries talisman to stick away the chances that those creative influences around him create for him.
Belgium will be a powerhouse for the future. They will be. They just need a strong man at the tiller to make sure they steer the ship in right direction. And with the influx of Belgian Players in the English Premier League with those already mentioned plus the Chelsea new boys Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne, a few seasons in the EPL could toughen them up and change these players in to top European players. They must qualify for the 2014 world cup in Brazil and prove Colin Farrell wrong!
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