Divock Origi and Thomas Vermaelen Named in Belgium's Squad for Euro 2016
Belgium have named Liverpoolโs Divock Origi and Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen in their squad for the UEFA European Championship this summer.
Manager Marc Wilmots confirmed 24 players on Thursday, a figure thatโll be cut to 23 before the tournament begins. Hereโs the list, per the teamโs official Twitter feed:
Origi has been sidelined since mid-April with an ankle injury picked up in Liverpool's 4-0 win over Everton. Vermaelen is a veteran of the Belgium national team but has started only six games for Barcelonaย in La Liga this season.
The most notable omission from the group is skipper Vincent Kompany, with the Manchester City defender set to miss the tournament with an injury.
Wilmots, as reported by Het Laatste Nieuwsโย Kristof Terreur, confirmed Chelseaโs Eden Hazard will lead the side out in France.
Per Terreur, the manager also revealed that he views Jason Denayer, who has been on loan at Galatasaray from City this season, as the man who can fill Kompanyโs spot:
Although their inspirational leader is out of the squad, there is a lot of excitement when it comes to these players and what they could potentially achieve this summer.
Belgium are in a tough pool, though, as theyโll face Italy, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden in the group stages in France.
With the experience of a World Cup under their belt, Wilmots will be hoping to see a little more from his players, who, individually, are enough to match any side in the competition.
Kompanyโs injury may not be quite so catastrophic either. It means the manager will potentially be able to use Tottenham Hotspurโs star centre-back duo of Toby Alderweireldโwho has played right-back for the national team previouslyโand Jan Vertonghen at the base of his side.
WhoScored.com summed up just how influential Alderweireld has been for Spurs this season:
In midfield, Wilmots has a lot of powerful players to chose from in Mousa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini, Radja Nainggolan and Axel Witsel. Theyโll likely provide a foundation upon which the attacking stars in this team, of which there are many, can flourish.
Romelu Lukaku may have tailed off lately, but he has enjoyed a brilliant season with Everton in the main, while Yannick Ferreira Carrasco has made significant improvements under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. Hazard and City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne are the two jewels in this setup, though.
As Squawka Football noted, theyโre two players who are extremely creative with the ball at their feet:
Itโs going to be a test for Hazard. There have been signs in recent matches that heโs a player over the slump that has gripped him for the majority of this campaign, and he has captained the national team before. But doing so at a major tournament, in the absence of Kompany, with so much pressure resting on him is a big responsibility.
Belgium have the talent to win this competition should everything align, with quality options and strength in depth throughout Wilmotsโ squad.
If Hazard relishes the captaincy and De Bruyne brings his Manchester City form to France, they will be tough to stop.
