Gert Verheyen believes that national coach Roberto Martinez has made a logical selection. The analyst does see a few hot topics. Will Lukaku get fit in time and can Eden Hazard surprise us? “Making the difference in a match, which Martinez hopes for, has not been done for years,” says Verheyen. “But he can prove us wrong.”
Race against the clock for Lukaku
“Romelu Lukaku is in good hands with Lieven Maesschalck. I expect that he will finish”, Gert Verheyen is convinced.
“He will be very important, because he is the peg of the team. The logical replacement is Batshuayi. We have no complaints about him in terms of goals. Although the lack of Lukaku is a bloodletting. Openda can do something with his speed if he given the space, in the small space I like Batshuayi better.”
In Extra Time, our analyst did not include Dries Mertens in his selection. “But I was sure he would be there. That is of course justified. Although I have to admit that I do not watch Galatasaray every week. You cannot underestimate his role off the field. And intrinsically he remains a good football player.”
Hazard has not been able to clear the doubts in his last appearances.
“The lack of rhythm at Hazard is a problem,” says Verheyen in the studio with Tess Elst. “He has not been able to remove that doubt in his last performances. He has not done the difference in a game, which Martinez hopes for, for years. But he can prove us wrong.”
Finally, a word about the attacking joker, Jérémy Doku. “Doku has a unique profile with his speed and skill. I don’t see him getting more than a role as a substitute. And with Trossard we are in that position that should still be given his chance.”
Unique profile of Onana offers options
Our analyst has no comments on the choice for midfielders and wingers. Verheyen is a fan of Amadou Onana, who is facing his first major tournament.
“He has a unique profile that is complementary to Witsel or Tielemans. The latter has reached a very high level in recent weeks. In that form he always has a place with the Devils. And with Onana you have tactical flexibility and an enormous physical presence there.”
Verheyen’s joker – Bryan Heynen – is not among them. “We are talking about the 23rd to 26th name in the selection. They will not make the difference between a quarterfinal or a semifinal. Roméo Lavia also has enough time to show himself to the Devils in the future.”
“And there can be no discussion with the wingers either. There is no one better than those four and they have always done well. What we may be missing there is a left leg. Thorgan Hazard, Castagne and Carrasco can of course play against their foot .”
Best performing defenders go along
“Not really a big surprise in defence,” is a succinct summary of the goalkeepers and defenders.
“I had also taken the 6 defenders myself. It is a logical step given the rejuvenation that is needed. And also because of the performances of Theate, Faes and Debast at their clubs.”
“Denayer and Boyata see their place taken by guys who are doing better at the moment. Mechele has been there a lot, but is also often in the stands and his performance is too erratic. There is nothing wrong with those 6.”
Is Martínez taking too few defenders with him? “Every position is double occupied. That is more than enough. With guys like Witsel you can also make arrangements in dire need. If you select more there, you also miss options in the front. You can turn a match faster with that than with defenders.”
Young players such as Debast, Faes and Theate could certainly be in the starting line-up if needed. “But I don’t think they are the first option,” Verheyen says. “The experienced boys are number 1 and will have Dendoncker next to them. If they are fit, I would stick to that.”
