You could argue that Belgium go to the World Cup next summer with one of the tournament’s most enviable squads.
Roberto Martinez has a host of genuinely world-class players to call upon, including Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele.
But on current form, the pick of the players is Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who’s been universally heralded for his performances for the Citizens this season.
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And rightly so.
The (new) Ginger Prince has been City’s star man this season, as they’ve shot to the top of the league table – and statistically he’s rubbing shoulders with the very best in the world right now.
Which is why we’re pretty excited to see him in action on the biggest stage this summer.
However, the midfielder believes the national team needs to focus less on the individual talents the squad boasts and more on their tactical set up, if they’re going to be successful.
Shots fired at Martinez?
Speaking to Het Laatste Niewus after the Red Devils 3-3 draw against Mexico last week, De Bruyne said: “Mexico were just tactically better.
“Their system made our five defenders sit deep and we were swimming in midfield – it was five against seven.
“Look, we still put too much on our talents.
“As long as we don’t have a good tactical system, we will have difficulties against countries like Mexico.”
KDB was especially critical of the national side’s ultra-defensive set-up.
As a midfielder who strives on receiving the ball and loves to play fluid, attacking football – we geddit.
He added: “It’s a pity that we have not yet found a solution.
“Of course we play with a system that is in principle very defensive, but it is filled with many attacking players who want the ball.
“Then you have a bit of a problem, like against Mexico.”
Mexico certainly did dominate possession for long-periods of the game and really took the fight to their superior-on-paper opponents.
De Bruyne added: “It was a match in which we had very little possession and everyone in a system that doesn’t really fit.
“We now know that something must be changed against such teams.
“But eventually Martinez decides.
“I think the trainer has to find a solution so that we can avoid such situations as against Mexico in the future.”
Over to you, Roberto.
