It’s been several months now that Roberto Martinez announced the color: the selection of the month of March will only be made up of players with less than 50 selections. The less than 50. Exit therefore Jan Vertonghen (136 selections), Axel Witsel (120), Toby Alderweireld (118), Eden Hazard (116), Dries Mertens (103), Romelu Lukaku (101), Thibaut Courtois (94), Kevin De Bruyne (88), Nacer Chadli (66), Thomas Meunier (54) and Yannick Carrasco (54). “I will make no exceptions”recalled the national coach a few days ago.
But contrary to what we might have imagined at first, when Martinez first mentioned the list of under 50, we should not expect to see a revolution in the selection. Why ? Because Belgium is preparing a World Cup at the end of the year. “It’s the last straight line before the World Cup, I will be able to gather a lot of information during this period”, explains Martinez, who also does not want to weaken the U21s, who are playing a very important match in Denmark with a view to qualifying for Euro U23.
In addition to the 11 players mentioned above, we can therefore exclude the innkeepers of Espoirs like Loïs Openda, Amadou Onana, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Hugo Siquet or Yorbe Vertessen: they will be in the selection of Jacky Mathijssen. We can also cross out of our minds the players who have not received a preselection (it is however wide) like Julien De Sart (Ghent), Mats Rits (Club Bruges), Manuel Benson (Antwerp) or Rob Schoofs (Mechelen). And we can also forget the injured Zinho Vanheusden or Dennis Praet.
We have therefore just mentioned 22 names but none of them will be included in the selection of Martinez, this Friday. “But I can easily find 30 Red Devils with full international experience,” said the federal coach. Here’s what that list might look like.
In goal there is choice, even without Courtois. Simon Mignolet and Koen Casteels will be here. Matz Sels, HendRick Van Crombrugge and Thomas Kaminski will compete for the last two places.
In defense, Jason Denayer (at the end of his contract in Lyon and who has still not played again since his return from injury) and Dedryck Boyata (captain at Hertha Berlin) are essential figures given the absences… and the retirement of Thomas Vermaelen, now in the staff. Behind them, Leander Dendoncker, Athur Theate, Wout Faes and Sebastian Bornauw are the strongest contenders. Brandon Mechele could also make a comeback. Pre-selected, Seven Van der Heyden also nourishes a slim hope.
On the wings, there are fewer choices. Thorn Hazard will be there, just like Alexis Saelemaekers. Thomas Foket should be the third winger called up. Just back from injury Timothy Chestnuts should be a fair bit. But it is not impossible that Martinez decides to integrate it into the selection at the last minute. As a lefty, Joris Kayembe also has a small chance of being called up again, even if his performances in Charleroi are a little less sparkling.
In the midfield, Youri Tielemans and his 47 selections narrowly escape the rule set by Martinez. The Bruges Hans Vanaken will be there too, just like Albert Sambi Lokonga. To complete the midfield, the return ofOrel Mangala (injured during his one and only selection a year ago) is quite possible.
In offensive positions, Leandro Trossard, Yari Verschaeren and Charles De Ketelaere act as favourites. Hit in the calf in recent days, Jérémy Doku will also be if it is fit. If not, Dodi Lukebakio Where Adnan Januzaj could get their chance. Nikola Stormpreselected, could also benefit, even if the chances are slimmer.
In front, the selections of Michy Bathshuayi and Christian Benteke will suffer no dispute. Divock Origi, disappointing in Wales, could be given another chance. As for Dante Vanzeirsuspended for a few weeks with the Union, he could be called up again by Roberto Martinez, just to get a change of scenery before the playoffs.
The account is good ?