Belgium’s midfield selection has sparked discussion among analysts regarding who should play alongside Roméo Lavia and how the team should be composed.
Diverging Opinions on the Midfield Balance
The core of the selection debate revolves around tactical complementarity and whether established hierarchies hinder squad performance. Lance Kawaya voiced a strong preference for Lavia, arguing that Raskin offers a more dynamic box-to-box profile that fits alongside Lavia as a defensive sentinel. Kawaya contended that Tielemans plays a more neutral role that mirrors Axel Witsel’s style in previous years, stating that the captaincy was assigned to preserve squad transition rather than pick the absolute best tactical fit. Kawaya asserted that installing Lavia in the holding role allows the tactical freedom to bypass Tielemans and utilize Raskin instead.
That perspective drew immediate pushback from Philippe Albert. Albert defended Tielemans’ indispensability, emphasizing his proficiency on set pieces, long-range shooting ability, and linguistic versatility as team captain. “We cannot do without our captain. He is unanimous,” Albert stated, highlighting that Tielemans bridges the generational gap within the squad effectively.
Talent-Driven Combinations and Injury Contingencies
Vincent Langendries adopted a more straightforward approach grounded in pure talent, advocating for a midfield trio consisting of Lavia, Tielemans, and Kevin De Bruyne. However, analysts also weighed contingency plans in the event of injury to De Bruyne. In that scenario, Albert outlined an alternative configuration featuring Lavia, Raskin, and Tielemans operating in direct support of Romelu Lukaku.
Adding historical context to the discussion, Fred Waseige defended Tielemans against criticism of anonymity on the pitch. Waseige pointed to past performances, including a match against Senegal, to argue that a player does not need to dominate the television screen to remain essential to a collective unit. Waseige acknowledged a dip in current form but urged observers not to overlook Tielemans’ extensive body of international work.
Tactical Variety in the Debate
With multiple configurations under consideration—ranging from defensive stability with a Lavia-and-Raskin axis to a ball-playing trio featuring Tielemans and De Bruyne—a wealth of possibilities exists within the national setup. The array of available profiles highlights a depth of options, and that is all the better.
