There’s something very unhappy about the way in which Eden Hazard’s profession has panned out since leaving Chelsea. The Belgian attacker was rightfully considered top-of-the-line gamers on the planet in the direction of the top of his time within the Premier League.
That’s the reason Actual Madrid spent £143m to carry him to the Spanish capital again in 2019. It was a dream transfer for Hazard, however sadly, it turned a transfer from the Premier League to Actual Madrid within the mould of Gareth Bale fairly than Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric.
He has scored seven objectives and received 11 assists in 72 appearances for Los Blancos, far under the output that was anticipated. That has understandably impacted his type for the Belgian nationwide group of which he was once the figurehead.
After the frustration of Belgium’s group stage exit on the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Hazard has known as time on his worldwide profession and can concentrate on both getting again on monitor at Actual Madrid or discovering type elsewhere.
That begs the query; who can change him within the Belgium group going ahead as a serious supply of creativity?
The phrase ‘golden era’ is used always about this Belgium group, and now plainly a revolution is required. Roberto Martinez has gone, Hazard has gone, and others will observe, so now one other era is required.
Which younger Belgian gamers are on the scene proper now who may feasibly carry the creativity wanted to win a serious event? Given Hazard was efficient within the center and on each wings when at his finest, we’re being pretty liberal with the positions right here.
Jeremy Doku
Jeremy Doku is a reputation that has been on the scene with the Belgian nationwide group for a few years now and he impressed throughout EURO 2020. He didn’t have a lot of an influence in Qatar although when used and it appears he’s but to make good on his potential.
Doku was a star at Anderlecht earlier than he made the marginally sudden transfer to Rennes whereas being linked with a lot greater golf equipment. Contemplating he joined the French facet for €26m, Rennes may have hoped for a greater return than the 4 objectives and 6 assists he has received in 65 appearances.
He’s nonetheless solely 20 years outdated although and may he discover extra type in France or transfer elsewhere, Doku nonetheless has the potential to be a very key attacking participant from the large areas for Belgium sooner or later.
Charles De Ketelaere
AC Milan participant Charles De Ketelaere is in a key part of his growth proper now. He got here by very early at Membership Brugge and scored 25 objectives and received 20 assists in 120 appearances, successful league titles within the course of.
That led to AC Milan dropping €32m on him in the summertime. Milan has been a terrific place for younger gamers to get time and area to develop, however he’s but to make any actual influence in Italy. The membership and far of the fanbase has religion in him and he will probably be proven endurance, however it may take longer than hoped earlier than he turns into an everyday starter, if in any respect.
He’s nonetheless simply 21 years outdated regardless of all of these senior appearances, and by way of his place, he’s the closest to Hazard. There’s a participant there and Milan will probably be doing Belgium a terrific favour if they will get him to his finest.
Yari Verschaeren
Very similar to Doku, Yari Verschaeren is one other identify that appeared destined for the limelight a few years in the past after which struggled to kick on. As with so many younger gamers which are instantly anticipated to vary the world, he’s nonetheless younger and nonetheless has an opportunity to be a star. He’s now 21 years outdated.
He’s a really centrally-focused attacker and has been in pretty respectable type with Anderlecht this season, with three objectives and three assists throughout all competitions. These numbers might be improved upon, however there may be some output to construct on.
Very similar to De Ketelaere, he got here by very younger and already has 136 appearances for Anderlecht. With extra space within the Belgian setup, Verschaeren may change into an enormous identify once more.
Anouar Ait El Hadj
Aged 20, Anouar Ait El Hadj is a much less established identify than the earlier on this record however is one other thrilling expertise to come back by at Anderlecht, top-of-the-line academies on the planet.
He prefers to minimize the center and has been battling with Verschaeren for area this season, however he may play deeper and on the left wing. He has solely performed a handful of video games this time period for Anderlecht however there may be pleasure on the membership about his future and he’s one to control.
Cisse Sandra
Cisse Sandra performs barely deeper than you’d image Hazard enjoying, however he might be efficient additional ahead too when wanted.
Sandra is simply 18 years outdated and is making a wholesome variety of appearances for Membership Brugge within the Jupiler League whereas additionally impressing for the Beneath-18s. He’s a reputation to control and the brand new Belgium coach may take a look at fast-tracking him into the primary group quickly.
