Malick Fofana is included in the under-21 squad after moving from the senior Belgium national team as coach Gill Swerts prepares his team for next summer’s European Championship, according to reports.
Squad Swap Between Senior Red Devils and U21s
The squad announcement featured a direct positional exchange between the senior setup and the youth ranks. Defender Josué Kongolo moved in the opposite direction by stepping up to the senior Red Devils squad, while Fofana dropped down after seeing limited playing time at club level in England.
Fofana already holds six senior international caps for Belgium. Swerts addressed the winger’s return to the youth setup ahead of upcoming friendlies against Germany and Italy.
He knows his teammates and finds it no problem at all to play for the U21s and thus gain the necessary playing minutes,
Swerts said.
Vermeeren Absent as Swerts Prepares for Top-Tier Friendlies
VoetbalNieuws.be reported that Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren was a notable omission from the U21 selection. It remains unclear whether his absence stems from a tactical choice by the coaching staff or an underlying injury.
The Belgian youth side secured qualification for the U21 European Championship during the previous international window. Swerts will use the upcoming fixtures against elite opposition to evaluate squad depth and test tactical variations before the tournament starts next summer.
Additional Roster Changes and Coach Comments
Alongside Arthur Vermeeren, Arthur Piedfort and Jesse Bisiwu were also passed over from the previous selection, while Nathan De Cat missed out due to an injury. Bisiwu dropped down to the under-19 team. In addition to Vincent Burlet and Jorne Spileers, Mathias Delorge and Julien Duranville also returned to the U21 squad. Swerts noted that many Red Devils can also strengthen the U21s, and mentioned regarding players being picked by the senior staff: That has already happened,
adding with a laugh, We are in constant contact. It is logical that players who perform well can be called up for the national team.
Confirmed Under-21 Squad Selections
The roster released for the upcoming training camp and friendlies contains several returning names alongside fresh additions across all positions:
Goalkeepers: Lucca Brughmans (Genk), Matthias Pieklak (Lommel), Argus Vanden Driessche (Club Brugge)
Defenders: Vincent Burlet (Cracovia), Denzel De Roeve (Union SG), Amando Lapage (Westerlo), Lucas Noubi (Deportivo), Richie Sagrado (Venezia), Matte Smets (Genk), Jorne Spileers (Club Brugge), Renzo Tytens (Lyngby)
Forwards: Norman Bassette (Westerlo), Julien Duranville (Lyon), Chris Lokesa (Beveren), Robin Mirisola (OH Leuven), Lucas Stassin (Sevilla), Romeo Vermant (Club Brugge), Malick Fofana (Sunderland)
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