Belgium right now are the flavour of the moment. Their players are peppering the top leagues in Europe – mainly the Premier League.
And they have qualified for the World Cup at a canter in a group where they were actually seeded second behind Croatia. Many are tipping them for big things in Brazil next year, but we ask: are they really as good as the hype suggests?
Belgium, it should be remembered, has a proud footballing history despite a poor recent history.
I grew up knowing players such as Jan Ceulemans, Franky Van der Elst, Eric Gerets, Preud’homme, and then later the wonderfully talented Enzo Scifo, Phillipe Albert and Luc Nilis.
Belgium pushed all the way during England’s run to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup, and the likes of Anderlecht have a proud European club history.
After a lengthy hiatus, Belgium are back with a team that looks hugely exciting and full of talent. We have been here with other nations, and talks of a ‘golden generation’ can often be hugely overdone – especially if you follow England (which I don’t).
Recent golden generations that have succeeded are France (WC ’98 and EC ’00) and Spain (EC ’08, WC ’10, EC ’12). They are big shoes for the Belgians to fill, especially as they seem to be coming from much further back than either of those nations.
While many of the players look to be of genuine quality, they do lack any tournament experience.
And, like all the European teams, they face the daunting prospect (more daunting, one would guess, for the northern ones) of competing in South America where the Europeans have never won.
Marc Wilmots gives experience and know-how as coach, but just how good are their players?
The goalkeeping position is currently held by Thibaut Courtois, yet another Chelsea player out on loan and excelling at Atletico Madrid. Courtois was easily the best goalkeeper in Spain last season and offers security in that position.
Simon Mignolet provides back-up and good competition for a position where Belgium look well equipped.
The defence is possibly the area where there may be a weakness for the Belgians.
Van Buyten is now 35 years old, while Vermaelen has struggled at times for Arsenal after what looked a promising start to his career there.
Vertonghen has been solid for Spurs but he is far from the quickest and as yet, Toby Alderweireld is yet to play a game for his new club Atletico Madrid.
Vincent Kompany remains a rock at the heart of their defence however, and his fitness will be a key factor for them at the World Cup.
As with many uncompromising defenders, injuries are starting to take their toll and he has already missed a lot of football for his club this season.
Moving further forward, you begin to realise what all the hype is about.
Axel Witsel was hugely coveted by many clubs before ultimately plumping for the money on offer at Zenit. That choice, however, should not detract from his obvious quality.
Much has been written about Marouane Fellaini after his high profile move to Man U.
While he has enjoyed an indifferent start, playing in the CL for the Reds will undoubtedly help him develop further. He remains a physically imposing presence in midfield, if lacking a little mobility.
Both Steven Defour and Mousa Dembele serve up further cultured offerings in the centre of the park, meaning that Belgium have a plethora of midfield options. It is further forward yet, however, where people are starting to get really excited.
Eden Hazard’s protracted courtship by several clubs the previous summer ended when he finally plumped for Chelsea.
While not yet the finished article, Hazard is clearly a huge talent who looks to be capable of playing and influencing games in much the same way that Luis Figo once did. Belgium will be looking for big things for him in Brazil.
His Chelsea teammate Kevin De Bruyne is far rawer than Hazard, despite being the same age. De Bruyne now needs to translate that potential into a more finished article.
Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke offers a potent striking option for Belgium alongside Chelsea’s on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku. Both strikers are quick, strong, have a good eye for goal and will be a handful for any defenders this Summer.
The likes of Everton’s Kevin Mirallas and Spurs Nacer Chadli again show the depth of talent that Belgium currently have.
It is an impressive squad.
There seems little doubt that this is a Belgium team bulging with talent and potential, though it does look to be a team short of experience at the very sharpest end – especially in the forward positions.
They will benefit from not carrying anything like the baggage that an England, an Italy or even hosts Brazil will carry into the tournament, nor will they suffer the same fear factor.
Belgium currently occupy a top eight world ranking position, meaning that they could receive a favourable draw at the upcoming tournament.
They should be well placed to qualify from their group – and as everyone knows anything can happen in the knockout stages.
The very best, the likes of Germany, Spain, Brazil should however be too strong for the Belgians. But a quarter, or even a semi-final showing, could well be on the cards for a team that is going to continue to improve.
While the World Cup could be a step too far for this fabulous generation of players, the Euros in France in 2016 could be a serious prospect for such a highly talented team.
Blondo
Guest
Toby Alderweireld has the same background as Vermaelen & Vertonghen ... moved from GBA academy to Ajax, was a key player in each of their titles and earned himself a transfer to a bigger club (has started to settle in at A.Madrid yet isn't a regular starter). Still he's the weakest link in the Belgian back four unless Cavanda or Meunier have an impressive season. Vermaelen slowly is returning to form but in the meantime Lombaerts has worked out well (key player, winning an European and domestic title at Zenit). I'm interested in seeing their defensive solidity return that stood up well in competitive matches ... during the friendly in March 2014 I'll be looking for indications as the experimental phase is over. The wingers seem eager to track back and press (even Hazard is beginning to show impressive defensive stats since working with Mou) but the balance that versatile midfielders like Witsel, Dembele, Fellaini, Defour, Nainggolan, etc. bring is crucial. When they aren't in top form, the whole squad feels it. PS Lukaku has been competing on a European stage since he was 16 ... it's a potent mix of youth and experience. Almost all of these young players show maturity beyond their age. Also the oldest guys are in the backline while the further you move up the pitch, the younger the players are ... age is spread well in the squad and in the heat & humidity of Brazil they might suffer less fatigue and recuperate faster than older squads. Like Germany in 2010 they could outrun, outmuscle and outplay most other squads ... getting to the quarter-finals would be a nice result when looking to the future. PPS Serbia was seeded second behind Croatia, not Belgium. Ivanovic, Subotic, Nastasic, Kolarov, Vidic, etc. couldn't stop them from scoring 5x in 2 games. How many teams that were eliminated without even getting to the play-offs had to face a backline made up of this kind of steel?
ChrisUK
Guest
No - he was more interested in infuriating the Irish!
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
(I didn't have a problem with Martin Johnson either but don't tell anyone!)
ChrisUK
Guest
I can partly understand it. The idea of England winning anything and having to put up with the gloating (and there would be - I'd be reminding my Scots mates at every opportunity!) is not fun. It's mostly just banter in both directions, and is a family argument. I do miss Scotland not being in the tournaments though. One of the hardest things to get across to Australians on here is that we're all British and we can bicker and argue, but when it's under the one flag we mostly are on the same side. I love it when we have the argument and then an Australian or American joins in - only to be startled when both English and Scottish turn on them! But yes, the media are a nightmare. Take all the references to 1966. I don't care about that, I wasn't alive. So when you get John bloody Motson talking about it, I want him to shut up just as much as any Scotsman. I did cackle when he called the 5-1 over Germany England's best result against them "since the war" though. What a knob! You must be having a bit of a nightmare with Stuart Lancaster - he's awfully modest and likeable.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Oh mate, those were the days...... drawing with Russia '82 and Uruguay in '86 to go out, Archie Gemmill against Holland, ah the days of glorious failure rather than just failure............. I have to admit to supporting Argentina in '86 and Germany in '90. I then moved to London in 1990 and grew up! The vast majority of my mates after 12 years in London are English so I actually follow England although I'd stop short of wanting them to win anything(!) and I'm a keen follower of English cricket. Only exception I'll never make is rugby where the likes of Will Carling and Clive Woodward will ensure I'm always supporting the other team...........! It's so funny that so many Scots don't realise that most England fans wish them well, I actually think a lot of the problem is in the press. Go online and read the Sun when there's anything England Scotland related and then scroll down and open up 'The Scottish Sun' and you'll see the problem in all its' glory.............. Sells papers both ends though.
ChrisUK
Guest
I thought as much. By way of retaliation I'll remind you of the time Uruguay kicked Scotland off the pitch....
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Indeed Chris indeed. With the regard to you earlier comment about Maradona's goals against England. The first for me was an absolute classic.............
supersc89
Guest
They have a great squad but how Radja Nainggolan never gets in to it, i dont know,he is top class players,and is surely just missing out because he is playing for a small club in italy,if he was at juve or inter he would be playing,how de bruyne can start yet barely get kicks of a ball for chelsea yet this guy who runs his team cant get in the squad.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Whoops! Just read your Poyet article McBain, and see that you've said exactly the same thing as I just did! Great minds think alike... :)
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
I'm not so sure about Poyet, in replacing Di Canio with him the board seem to have just swapped like for like: flamboyant player, a bit controversial but always a fan favourite, successfully managed a lower league club but with no experience in the Premier League, a bit of disciplinarian... Had there not been the furore regarding Di Canio's political allegiances I think he would have been given a few more months at the helm, at least until Christmas.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
At his best he was one of the best wingers in English football.
dasilva
Guest
FIFA seedings are a complete joke 4 years ago the system was that it was a combination of FIFA rankings and performance in previous world cups. However after the "hand of frog" by Thierry Henry. FiFA freaked out and then decided to turn it into a pure FIFA ranking so that France to be replaced by Netherlands to be seeded. It was a knee jerk reactionary decision. Even though it turned out that Netherlands were finalist and France were embarrass in the group stages. The benefits of using previous performance in world cups is that it allows for consistent performance and pedigree world cup performers to be advantaged instead of just based on who does strongly over a short period of time.
ChrisUK
Guest
There was an interesting article in the Guardian about FIFA's rankings and seedings, and how playing friendlies actually knackers your ranking even if you win the games: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/oct/17/england-seeded-switzerland-world-cup-draw-friendlies
ChrisUK
Guest
"Sir, the noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England!" ;)
ChrisUK
Guest
WHICH one against England Steven? Since you're a Scot, I have no faith whatsoever on which of those two goals you'd have got most pleasure from!
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Cheers MLF!
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Cheers Worlds Biggest, that is indeed my plan Sir. Going to be great, a Scotsman doing a write up on the English prospects............!
my left foot
Guest
+1
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
We often only remember Kostadinov's last minute goal that qualified Bulgaria and left France at home but in all honesty les Bleus had no excuses; needed 1 point with 2 home games to play vs Israel (!!) and Bulgaria (!!..!) and lost both of them. I still remember this autumn 1993 as I was having my first gap year in England then. And it was actually not a bad place to live this debacle as my English mates were going through the same thing themselves ;). As an aside, true Ginola made a mistake, but I still do not forgive Houllier, the then French coach, for publicly blaming him for our non-qualification. Not a great example of what a coach should be imo. And I think the 2 haven't been on speaking terms since.
JimmyB
Guest
Kane, I think you might need to redefine your meaning of great. Roy Keane - tick. Eddie McGoldrick- erm. He was another of Jacks Plastic Paddies anyway.