(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Together, Kompany and Fellaini look set to dominate international midfields for years to come. And, with the supporting cast quickly developing around them, Belgium are quickly becoming a team that few others will want to play.
Further forward, big things are already being expected of Lille’s Eden Hazard. Other than being a headline writer’s dream, the 18-year-old has been a constant threat for sides in Ligue 1, scoring and creating goals from his position behind the main striker.
His performances have caught the eyes of some footballing luminaries, including Arsene Wenger.
"Hazard is a fantastic young player," the Arsenal boss recently commented to French media outlet Telefoot. "He has impressed me so far, and I am not the only one he has impressed.”
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal have subsequently been linked with a move for the 18-year-old.
Already capped four times for his country, the youngster looks set to become a fixture in the side for years to come. Many are just hoping his younger brother, Thorgan (currently with RC Lens) turns out to be as talented.
At last year’s Beijing Olympics, Hazard often appeared up front for his country with Moussa Dembele, the 21-year-old striker currently playing under Van Gaal at Dutch title-winners AZ Alkmaar. Having scored nine goals in 22 appearances so far in the Eredivisie, the youngster is highly-rated by all who have seen him play.
“He’s already good enough to handle the level of a top European club,” said Vandereycken before his departure. “Moussa can handle anything.”
With a supporting midfield class including the likes of Axel Witsel and Steven Defour—both of Standard Liege, who pushed Liverpool so close in the Champions League qualifiers this year, and knocked Everton out of the UEFA Cup—opportunities should not be wanting for Dembele, Hazard, Kevin Mirallas, or whoever starts up front for the team.
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