The Rise of the Minnows

Belgium

Year FA Founded: 1904

Nickname: the Red Devils

Best International Performances:
FIFA World Cup- Fourth Place 1986
European Championship- Runners-Up 1980

Their Story:

Belgium have never been a major force in world football, some World Cup appearances, a fourth place finish in the 1986 tournament the lone highlight to speak of, but nothing to really write home about. The Golden Generation of the 80’s containing the likes of Jan Ceulemans and Enzo Scifo were the closest to reaching glory, but could not seal the deal. There does seem to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon, the current batch of les Diables Rouges, would like to be the ones to bring the silverware home.

When Marc Wilmots was appointed manager of the national side in 2012, serious change in fortunes began to take place. Skyrocketing into fifth place in the FIFA World Rankings in October 2013, Belgium thrashed their UEFA qualifying group for the 2014 World Cup with 8 wins and 2 draws, bringing the squad into the national storyline as a leading candidate for glory.

The Players:

Marc Wilmots is one of the most fortunate international managers in football. The squad he is surrounded by is one of the brightest young group of talents in the world. Starting at the back, Thibaut Courtois in goal is possibly the greatest young goalkeeper in the world. Chelsea, his club team, had him out on loan to Atletico Madrid for the past three seasons where he put in some of the best keeping overall performances during those three years. He has been so impressive that Chelsea have recalled him back this season where he has replaced the great Petr Čech as first string keeper. At 22 years of age, someone would be hard pressed to find a keeper of his sheer quality of the same age.

Up in front of him, the defensive line of team captain Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, and Nicolas Lombaerts hold court and provide a formidable opposition to opposing attacks. Kompany in particular is one of the best center backs in the world. With Manchester City, he has captained one of the strongest clubs in European football. While questions were asked of the Belgian defensive unit before the 2014 World Cup, particularly in their full back positions where they lack a certain depth and availability, they were able to help carry the team into the Quarter-finals where they eventually lost to Lionel Messi and Argentina,

The Belgian midfield on the other hand, consisting the likes of Mousa Dembélé, Marouane Fellaini, Axel Witsel, and Kevin De Bruyne is truly growing world class. Their holding player Axel Witsel provides unrelenting strength and consistency to the defensive midfield, while the likes of Fellaini and Dembélé provide physicality and forward playmaking respectively. Prior to the 2014 World Cup both players had shaky club performances that put their first team selections at risk, and questions were raised about their ability to hold down the midfield against some of the squads they would face. In the end, this midfield unit, especially De Bruyne and his magnificent playmaking prowess created some memorable performances to carry the team forward.

Up top, Belgium already has what could be considered a clinical and powerful world class attacking unit. The physical domination provided by Romelu Lukaku aged 21 and dominant all around playmaking by Eden Hazard aged 23 creates some of the best attacking football in Europe. They have not been as prolific at the international level as some would hope, as 84 combined caps and 15 combined goals would suggest, but they are young and have promise that they could truly dominate international play. Possibly the brightest young talent the Belgians posses is Adnan Januzaj, the 19 year old Manchester United winger/attacking midfielder who is widely touted to become among the best players in the world over the next few years. Along with another bright talent, the holding forward Christian Benteke, there is heaps of potential for this squad to create shockwaves in the international scene.

Where Do They Go From Here: There have been a bunch of major questions raised about this young Belgian squad. They have a serious lack in full backs, something that provides massive issues in international play, as their forward players need width and solid play to provide for their abilities upfront. This is not a little known fact though, and the Belgian youth ranks must be pressing to develop whatever wide defensive talent they can find.

The aforementioned lack in productive finishing from their star players up top creates a massive problem for their advancement in international competition. While Hazard is touted as the best attacking player in Chelsea’s squad, providing efficient playmaking and finishing, he has barely scratched the surface in international play. He provided some quality performances during the 2014 World Cup, but he must drive on and provide for his team in competition. If he can turn it on during these Euro’s there really is no telling how teams can stop them.

If Marc Wilmots can carry on and push this team to its potential, he already has done a truly magnificent job bringing this team to the international forefront, competing with the best will be an afterthought. The best part about this squad is that they are young with barrels of talent, Wilmots is very lucky to be heading this squad, and together they an bring glory to Belgium.