Dear Roy, I understand you have been watching Adnan Januzaj since July. That’s understandable since he can play a bit. However, at 18 years of age, Adnan is knocking on a bit. No Roy, I suggest if you want to uncover the real gems of the future England team then you need to be looking… Read More »
In order to start booking flights to Rio, the Belgian FA needs to see its team take one point from the final two qualifying matches against Croatia and Wales. Assuming there is no catastrophic collapse, it’s time to look at the options for the 23 names that Marc Wilmots can choose from. Wilmots has a… Read More »
This Monday Mash is dedicated to three Club Brugge men who could be decisive: new coach Michel Preud’homme, captain Timmy Simons and young winger Maxime Lestienne. Preud’homme’s arrival will give a massive lift to both club and league (see my thoughts from 11/2010, Simons is a real leader and has been my touchstone since the… Read More »
Goals galore in the Jupiler Pro League this weekend, 31 in eight games. Anderlecht’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Matias Suarez dazzled against a poor KV Mechelen with the former scoring his first after two minutes. For Genk, Ilombe Mboyo and Jelle Vossen combined brilliantly to destroy Zulte Waregem while Standard’s Michy Batshuayi scored his first ever… Read More »
Six members of the Belgian international squad have changed clubs this summer. Some of those moves have been smart ones; others seem more of a risk. Here’s a rundown on those who have changed clubs and what their expectations could be. Marouane Fellaini (Everton to Manchester United) Fellaini’s last-minute move to Manchester United will give… Read More »
Ahead of the match with Scotland, Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois spoke to journalists from the Belgian paper La Dernière Heure. Here’s what he said about Chelsea, Peter Cech, the World Cup and Simon Mignolet. On staying at Atletico Madrid “Chelsea and José Mourinho wanted me to return to Stamford Bridge this season, either that or… Read More »
Back in August, I was asked a few questions about Marouane Fellaini – then a target for several clubs. Now he’s joined Manchester United, it’s worth adding them to the blog. Interview re. Marouane Fellaini (15 August, 2013) Q. Marouane Fellaini spent two years with Standard Liege in Belgium before moving to Everton in 2008.… Read More »
Last Monday I said the Jupiler Pro League was becoming a two-horse race but Thorgan Hazard obviously didn’t read my thoughts. Playing for Zulte Waregem against Anderlecht, he scored one and had three assists – his best game by far in the JPL. The game was a great spectacle, enlivened by 45 minutes from Anderlecht’s… Read More »
Before the season started, Anderlecht coach John Van den Brom said the first 30 games in the JPL (pre-playoffs) were not important. He’s not taking his own advice as the champions beat Charleroi 5-2, with a Matias Suarez hat-trick, to make it four wins from four. Over in Liege, Standard are flying with maximum points… Read More »
The ‘Top Ten Newcomers’ to the Jupiler Pro League include some youngsters with big reputations, a few returnees and a couple of relatively unknown quantities. Three of the 10 are from Anderlecht and there are two each from Standard Liege and Club Brugge. Fabien Camus (28, Racing Genk) The Franco-Tunisian midfielder was a member of… Read More »