Belgium National Team: A Golden Era?


Maurounae Felliani

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Only Brazil and Portugal’s national teams have eclipsed Belgium’s national team in transfer money spent on acquiring their players at the club level. Belgium is a youthful and exuberant squad whose most talented players are all in there 20s.

The center half pairing of Vincent Kompany of Manchester City and Thomas Vermalen of Arsenal are the oldest quote on quote stars on the team, both 27 years of age. The heart of defense is probably the best place to have veteran experience in such a young squad. Belgium has some of the biggest stars in the game on some of the top teams in the world.

Chelsea is by far the biggest beneficiary of the abundance of talent the Belgium National Team has at its disposal. Chelsea has five Belgium Internationals on their books that are all young stars in the making.

Eden Hazard, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder, was the only Belgium International not loaned out by Chelsea last year. Hazard joined them from French squad Lille for €32 million in August of 2012. In 34 appearances, Hazard notched nine goals and 16 assists, making an immediate impact on the team. This secured them third place in the English Premier League, but most importantly a Champions league birth.

Romelu Lukaku, a 20-year-old striker, was loaned out to another EPL team, West Bromwich Albion, and set the Premiership on fire with 17 goals last season. Lukaku came to Chelsea from Belgium side Anderlecht for €20 million in August of 2011. He initially played for the reserve squad when he got to Chelsea before his loan move to Albion. But there is no doubt Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has plans to unleash Lukaku on the EPL in a Chelsea shirt.

Kevin De Bruyne, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder, came to Chelsea in January of 2012 for a steal of €7 million from Belgium side Racing Genk. De Bruyne stayed at Genk for the remainder of the season and in the summer was immediately loaned out to German side Werder Bremen. Champions’ league runner-ups Borussia Dortmund were keen on signing the Belgian this summer, but Mourinho was not willing to part ways with the rising star.

Thibaut Courtois, a 21-year-old, is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In 2011, Courtois was sold to Chelsea from Racing Genk for an undisclosed fee, and is regarded by many as the air-apparent to Petr Cech. He was loaned out to La Liga side Athletico Madrid immediately when he arrived to Stamford Bridge. Courtois has established himself as the undisputed No. 1 in Madrid, leading them to a third place league finish and a Copa Del Rey victory over arch rivals Real Madrid in the 2012-13 season. Courtois is going on his third season loaned out to Athletico. If he continues to display his current form, Cech will have to continue to look over his shoulder.

Chelsea is becoming a Belgium colony of sorts, also having signed Hazard’s younger brother. Thorgan Hazard is a 20-year-old winger who just received his first International cap in May of 2013. He joined Chelsea from French club Lens in 2012 for an undisclosed fee and is out on loan at Belgian side Zulte Waregem for the second consecutive season.

Belgium looks set to be contenders in next summers World Cup in Brazil. Kevin Mirallas and Marouane Fellaini of Everton, Dries Mertens of Napoli, Christian Benteke of Aston Villa, Alex Vitsel of Zenit St. Petersburg, Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele and Nacer Chadli of Tottenham Hotspurs are just some of the other stars Belgium International Manager Marc Wimots has to choose from.

Maybe the Belgium team is too young to stamp its imprint on next summer’s World Cup, but no one can deny the talent they posses. Belgium looks like they will have an influence on the outcome of major tournaments for the foreseeable future.

Tyronne Pruitt is a Soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TPruitt_454846, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google


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