Is the Future Bright for Belgian Football?

What do you think of when you hear the word Belgium? Chocolate? Waffles? Dark beers? Mussels and chips? Tin Tin? Certainly not a world-beating national football team.

Over the last few years, the Belgian youth system has unearthed quite an array of talent. Everton’s Marouane Fellaini, Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen have been the three highest profile Belgian names to hit the Premier League but there are many more exquisite talents popping up all over the major European Leagues.

First up is Axel Witsel, aged 22, who achieved worldwide fame when he was banned from football for almost three months after a murderous, leg-breaking tackle on RSC Anderlecht defender Marcin Wasilewski, that in due coarse became a YouTube phenomenon. Witsel recently joined Benfica and will undoubtedly become Primeira Liga hero.

Next comes new FC Porto signing, Steven Defour, 23, who alongside Marouane Fellaini and Axel Witsel form the impenetrable midfield of Standard Liege which propelled them to victories in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 Belgian League titles. Defour’s natural leadership skills means that he is a possible future Belgium captain.

Jan Vertonghen, 24, is a 6 ft. 3 center back/defensive midfielder/ full back who, currently plays for Ajax and played a major part 2010-11 Eredvise victory. Along with him comes winger and attacking midfielder Eden Hazard, aged 20, who won 2010-11 Ligue 1 player of the year for helping Lille to a shock win of the league/domestic cup double.

But without a doubt, the most outstanding talent of all is 18-year-old, Romelu Lukaku. The 6 ft. 3 wonder kid joined Chelsea on 18 August 2011 for a reported fee of £20m. Lukaku scored 41 goals in 98 games for Anderlecht as well as contributing 14 assists. He is often complimented for his athleticism, skills and pace. Many people have drawn parallels with Didier Drogba. His father, Roger Lukaku played for the Zaire national football team at the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations.

To add to all of these fantastic players the Belgium squad his even more depth to it in players such as Olympiakos’ Kevin Mirallas, Fulham’s Moussa Dembélé, Man City’s Dedryck Boyata, Ajax’s Toby Alderweireld, Athletico Madrid’s on loan from Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Sundeland’s Simon Mignolet and last but not least Anderlecht’s Jordan Lukaku who happens to be the younger brother of Romelu.

So it might be worth a trip to the bookies to put some money down on the dark horses for victory at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and maybe even the 2012 European Championships in Poland & Ukraine.


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