Belgium head into their first major tournament since that abysmal outing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a youthful squad and the Red Devils will certainly be looking to put on a better show for their fans this time around.
With Belgium’s journey at the Euros set to start on June 17, against Slovakia in Group E, Soccernet.football takes a look at seven players who could have a great impact for the Red Devils.
7. Youri Tielemans
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The Aston Villa midfielder was a key player for his club this past season, featuring regularly as they played their way to a top four finish and also reached the Europa Conference League semifinal.
Tielemans is set to battle the likes of Amadou Onana, Axel Witsel as well as Oriel Mangala for a starting shirt in Belgium’s midfield.
If he can maintain the levels he showed for Villa during the 2023/2024 league campaign, then he stands a really good chance of holding down a spot in the Red Devils’ first eleven.
6. Charles De Ketelaere
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder enjoyed a fantastic season on loan with the 2023/2024 Europa League winners Atalanta, racking up 25 goal contributions across 50 appearances.
One of Atalanta’s standout players this past season, De Ketelaere offers the Red Devils another option in terms of creativity and has also built himself a reputation as a reliable source of goals.
5. Leandro Trossard
Trossard, who has proven himself to be a very effective player upfront over the years, will be looking to tie down a starting place in Belgium’s front line when the curtains are raised in Germany.
The 29-year-old winger mostly came off the bench for Arsenal this past season and he almost always left his mark on games whenever he was brought on.
Trossard can feature anywhere along Belgium’s attack, link up play with teammates, create scoring opportunities and find the back of the net.
4. Jeremy Doku
Doku enjoyed a fine debut campaign in Manchester City blue, featuring regularly for the Cityzens and recording 13 goal contributions in 31 matches and winning the Premier League.
The 22-year-old winger can provide an attacking outlet out wide for the Red Devils with his great combination of pace and trickery which makes him every full-back’s nightmare.
Judging by his performances for Manchester City this past season, Doku should be one of the mainstays in Belgium’s attack during the tournament.
3. Romelu Lukaku
Belgium’s big center forward is one of the few experienced heads remaining in the national team and is expected to lead the attack line when the tournament kicks off in Germany.
Lukaku possesses great strength on the ball, making him a handful for opposition defenders. He also possesses enough pace to make runs in behind defensive lines and is a great aerial threat.
The 31-year-old, who had a decent season with AS Roma, scoring 13 times in 32 Serie A appearances will have Leipzig striker Loïs Openda breathing down his neck for the number 9 position.
2. Kevin De Bryune
De Bryune missed half of the 2023/2024 season after sustaining a hamstring injury in Manchester City’s first Premier League match against Burnley.
However, he managed to come back and play a pivotal role as City toppled Arsenal to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title, making 14 goal contributions across 18 matches.
The 32-year-old is set to be Belgium’s chief creator in Germany and if his form towards the end of this past season is anything to go by, the Belgian supporters will have plenty to cheer for.
1. Loïs Openda
The RB Leipzig striker enjoyed a sensational debut campaign in the Bundesliga this past season, firing the Red Bulls back into the Champions League with 31 goal contributions across 34 appearances.
Openda possesses blistering pace which makes him almost unstoppable whenever he finds his strides and a willingness to press opposition defenders, disrupt their build up and create opportunities out of nothing for his team.
The 24-year-old offers raw speed, youth and athleticism upfront and will certainly be itching for an opportunity to displace Lukaku and claim the starting shirt for himself.
