Jan Vertonghen Will Be Belgium's Key Player At The World Cup Rather Than Kevin De Bruyne Or Eden Hazard

Jan Vertonghen Will Be Belgium's Key Player At The World Cup Rather Than Kevin De Bruyne Or Eden Hazard
11:05, 25 May 2018

Marc Wilmots’ departure as Belgium head coach following a dismal Euro 2016 display was a breath of fresh air for the Red Devils. With arguably the nation's deepest ever national pool, Wilmots wasted the talent at his disposal as he oversaw a 3-1 loss to Wales at the quarter-final stage of the European Championship two years ago. The 49-year-old’s exit, then, provided Belgium with a chance to appoint a manager that would allow for them to realise their full potential.

However, Belgium shot themselves in the foot with the decision to hire Roberto Martinez as Wilmots’ successor. The Spaniard was relieved of his duties as Everton boss with the Toffees struggling to match expectations back in 2016 as the club brought to an end his three-year spell at Goodison Park. Inexperienced on the international stage, as both a player and manager, the 44-year-old’s appointment was a surprise to say the least.

One of the main reasons was perhaps the onus on attacking that Martinez implemented on Merseyside. He would at times shirk Everton’s defensive shortcomings and instead attempt to outscore opponents in pursuit of all three points. In this current Belgium side, there is a place for a manager of Martinez’s approach. The Red Devils head coach is able to call upon the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku in the final third and utilising a system that brings out the best in the quartet, among others, is crucial if Belgium are to enjoy success in Russia.

That being said, Martinez can’t simply rely on his forward players to fire Belgium to victory without focusing on the defence, but even at the back, he has ample personnel to deny opponents. While Vincent Kompany comes into the tournament as a double winner, Thibaut Courtois one of the finest goalkeepers in Europe and Toby Alderweireld, to some the Premier League’s best defender, the most important player in Martinez’s squad in Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen.

The centre-back comes into the tournament on the back of his best individual campaign to date as he played a key role in Spurs’ third place finish and his flying form for the north London side saw him win the One Hotspur player of the season. Only Lewis Dunk and Harry Maguire (both 179) won possession in the defensive third more times than Vertonghen (151) in the Premier League this season.. His consistency of winning the ball at the back helped Tottenham quickly transition from defence to attack and in a three-man defensive system, it helps Belgium push forward quickly, either through the midfield or the wing-backs.

In this top heavy Belgium side, the performances of the vastly experienced backline - the trio of Kompany, Alderweireld and Vertonghen have 240 international caps between, with the latter’s 96 caps the most of the centre-back trident - is all the more important. However, with the former duo struggling with injuries at one point or another over the campaign, Vertonghen’s consistent displays at the heart of the defence, both in a three-man defence and as a partnership, will play a vital role in Belgium’s pursuit of a spot in the last-16 stage of the World Cup at England, Tunisia and Panama’s expense.

While many will point to Hazard or De Bruyne as Belgium’s most important player in Russia, Vertonghen’s defensive discipline and all-round exceptional displays for Tottenham this term means the 31-year-old is undoubtedly the Red Devils’ key man coming into the World Cup. He may not get the recognition he deserves in some quarters of the game, but Vertonghen comes into Russia 2018 on top of his game as arguably one of the best defenders in Europe right now.

In a Martinez managed Belgium side, this can only be a good omen as the Red Devils look to better their quarter-final exit four years ago.

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