The defensive choices for the upcoming World Cup remain a recurring point of discussion. Hein Vanhaezebrouck outlines where the greatest concerns lie and which profiles are missing.
Structural deficits in the defense
According to Vanhaezebrouck, the back line remains the weakest zone of the national team. We have sufficient quality up front and in midfield. The goal is the best in the world. But defensively…” he says in Het Nieuwsblad.
Wout Faes seemed to be the man, because he played everything. “While I always had the feeling: ‘that’s not really it’. Suddenly people say: no, not with Faes. And we have to start again.”
He pointed out that young players are sometimes written off too quickly. Matte Smets was immediately put aside after one mistake, even though he believes he does have potential. Debast remains a big question mark due to injuries.
Moreover, there are also few big, physical players who are given the role of central defender. “They used to be guys like me. Or like Van Buyten, Kompany, Vertonghen, Van Meir, Albert… Sturdy bears that would make you cross the street in fear.”
That is now slightly different and is a result of youth work. “If a youth player is a little less stature in terms of football, then we push him aside. In England or Germany there are still cabinets of guys at the back. Beasts. With us there are Arthur Theate or Wout Faes, who are a head shorter than their German colleagues. Ngoy from Lille is also only 1m83.”
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The situation of Mechele
Finally, Brandon Mechele was discussed. “Mechele has been doing well for a few years and he has to go to the World Cup with all his experience. But with all due respect to that guy: if you have to play with Mechele in the national team, then something is wrong. That is limit-limit,” concludes Vanhaezebrouck.
