BELGIUM didn’t make the most of their so-called ‘Golden Generation’ but their current side still contains plenty of talent.
The Red Devils have been dealt a relatively favourable draw at Euro 2024 with Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine for company in Group E.
This set of fixtures should interest Dream Team Euros managers and so let’s analyse Domenico Tedesco’s squad in search of the top stars, bargain options, and players to avoid.
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TOP STARS
With Kevin De Bruyne (£7m) in their ranks, Belgian boast arguably the best playmaker of the modern era.
The Manchester City midfielder has proved over the course of several years that he is capable of massive returns in the realm of Dream Team.
Goals, assists, big chances created, bonus points… he does it all.
De Bruyne is the outright most-expensive player in his position but if anyone has a body of work that justifies such a status, it’s him.
Romelu Lukaku (£5.5m) broke the record for most goals scored in a European Championship qualifying campaign when he plundered 14 of them to book his country’s place in Germany.
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Some Dream Team bosses will find it hard to look past the hulking target man’s ineffective spells at Manchester United and Chelsea but it would be a mistake to ignore his prolific record.
Lukaku has bagged 83 goals in 114 caps at a rate better than Neymar, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at international level.
Few players have a higher ceiling than Jeremy Doku (£5m) when it comes to point-scoring potential.
The 22-year-old’s dribbling stats are incredible at times, an attribute that helps him collect plenty of bonus points.
His end product still needs work but when everything clicks the skilful winger is almost unplayable.
If Doku starts against Slovakia in Matchday 1, he could feast.
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BARGAIN OPTIONS
It would be a stretch to describe Koen Casteels (£3.5m) as a certified bargain but he looks reasonably priced now it’s been confirmed Thibaut Courtois will not play any part in Germany this summer.
The Wolfsburg goalkeeper is in line to start for Belgium in a favourable group – most of the other first-choice selections in his position among the top nations are priced at either £4m or £4.5m.
Wout Faes (£3m) started every game of the Red Devils’ qualifying campaign and may therefore offer an affordable route into a defence hopeful of clean sheets.
In the attacking positions, Johan Bakayoko (£3m) would suddenly be great value if he got the nod on the right flank.
The 21-year-old registered 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for PSV this season and offers plenty of excitement in possession.
However, it might be wise to wait for a clearer indication of the pecking order before committing to Bakayoko.
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PLAYERS TO AVOID
Leandro Trossard (£4m) offers plenty but it might surprise some gaffers to learn that the Arsenal man has completed 90 minutes just once for his country since the start of the 2022 World Cup.
In fact, he averages just 50 minutes per appearance for Belgium in the same time frame.
Three goals in his last six outings may have persuaded Tedesco that Trossard is worthy of more playing time but his position is one in which Belgium still have decent depth.
An ownership of 11.1% feels high for an asset who might spend significant time twiddling his thumbs on the bench.
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Similarly, Lois Openda (£3.5m) has bags of talent and is coming fresh off a 28-goal season with RB Leipzig but it’s difficult for him to get a look in up front because Lukaku’s record is so formidable.
If circumstances change and he becomes first-choice striker then he would potentially transform into a smart value-for-money option but that’s not the case at present.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
