Red Devils Rising - Past & Future Squads

The Downfall

Ahead of Germany 2006, the Red Devils had fallen to unprecedented depths in the FIFA ranking. Only 4 years earlier we held onto a spot among the top 16 but by 2006 we weren't even in the top 50. Finally, in June 2007, we bottomed out ... 71st place and an all time low. Seeing that we have stood our ground from the very beginning ... these have been strange times.

The squads of the Golden Age are well documented ... in the 70s & especially in the 80s we were real contenders ... a solid organisation, that was tough enough to handle world champions, and quality players like Scifo, Ceulemans, Gerets and Pfaff to complete an already robust collective. We remained seeded as one of the elite teams at the World Cup of 1990 and the last time that we earned our seed alongside only 4 other teams, our host was the American FA, i.e. USA1994. That World Cup I remember all too well. Being overly confident after beating the Dutch to take the lead in our group, we made a huge mistake by losing it in the final game against S.Arabia. Although this meant facing Germany instead of Ireland, I have no regrets. We had obviously taken the most difficult path to the quarter-finals but during that match against sie Germans the Red Devils rose to the occasion and it became a very close call. At least that double foul on Weber gave us something to moan about. The 1998 squad also boasted quality players but the Belgian FA had put Leekens at the helm. As we know his ego is enormous and his contentious nature clashed with the stars of that generation ... especially Nilis who vowed never to return to the Red Devils. Still a faltering FA had given Leekens a 2nd chance in charge of the current Golden Generation. History threathened to repeat itself ... were it not for Bruges who fell on that sword before "Mac the Knife" had reached a doom rate of 100%. Unlike mister 90% ... Wilmots can lead a stellar team that's willing to go beyond 100%. He had already proven his leadership in 2002 when it was "War Hog" Wilmots who led on the field ... his disallowed goal against a Brazilian team that went on to become World Champions is one of those oddities from a tournament that robbed nations of their dreams. After 6 successive World Cup campaigns the Red Devils failed to qualify twice and were drawn to despair in search of a 12th World Cup berth. Now the former senator has returned to oversee the Renaissance of the Red Devils ... the hand of Wilmots has visibly moulded our Golden Generation into a solid squad that would go to hell & back to win the World Cup. I wish Wilmots the best of luck and let's hope he receives a knighthood at the end of his tenure.


Past Squads (wiki containing previous squads)

These 2 line-ups consist of 11 players each that played the most games ahead of the World Cup and directly after. The objective is to compare previous teams with the current one. When you have a good idea of which line-up would have made it onto the pitch during these 2 World Cups ... feel free to add the info.

Red Devils - World Cup 2006

Proto (GK), Hoefkens, Van Buyten, Leonard, Vandenborre, Geraerts, Goor, Buffel, Simons, Pieroni, Vandenbergh.

Red Devils - World Cup 2010

Bailly (GK), Alderweireld, Kompany, Van Buyten, Vermaelen, Simons, Fellaini, Dembele, Hazard, Mirallas, De Sutter


Current Squad (4-2-3-1 based on World Cup 2014 qualifiers & games played/total Caps)

Courtois (Chelsea - on loan to A.Madrid)
Alderweireld (A.Madrid)
Kompany (Manchester City)
Vermaelen (Arsenal)
Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Fellaini (Manchester Utd.)
Witsel (Zenit)
Dembele (Tottenham)
De Bruyne (Chelsea)
Hazard (Chelsea)
Benteke (A.Villa)

+

Mignolet (Liverpool)
Van Buyten (B. Munich)
Lombaerts (Zenit)
Defour (Porto)
Chadli (Tottenham)
Mirallas (Everton)
Mertens (Napoli)
Lukaku (Chelsea - on loan to Everton)
...


Future Squad

Of course this squad will build on the young & gifted players that have already been capped. I'll "scout" for exciting prospects, e.g. Ferreira-Carrasco, Bakkali, Januzaj, Jr. Malanda, Tielemans, Bruno, Praet, Charly Jr. Musonda, ... and keep this thread updated. When you've got something to share ... please feel free to post anything & everything that has to do with the Red Devils: probable/recently released line-ups, (recently capped) player bio's, breaking news, etc.

 

Allthough Kompany only was about 18-19yo at that time, he was a starter in 5 WC qualifying matches (Spain x1, S.Marino x2 and Bosnia&H. x2) ... the final 2 matches (October 2005), he didn't start yet he might have been injured ... I also accounted for the amount of Caps (including friendlies and the start of the EURO2008 campaign directly after) ... all in all it was a close call. I had the feeling that he would have been a sub if we had gone to Germany2006.

Still when we can get a better picture of what our line-up might have been ... I'm all for it.

 

Do you have a link to a better source? I had to work with player stats for that period ... but I can always link to the line-ups that were used in the qualifiers/friendlies.

 

OK, I'll lean towards Kompany for the 2006 squad

Most importantly do you feel that the current line-up is correct, i.e. this would be the most likely line-up in Brazil2014 (if we qualify and when all players have returned to form). This season is still fresh ... so hard to say who will have caught Wilmots attention at the end of it.

For now my best guess is that ...

... Courtois (Chelsea - on loan to A.Madrid) remains our No. 1

... when everyone is in top condition/performing well, our starting back 4 consists of:

- Alderweireld (A.Madrid) ... transfer-wise, have to see if he made the right choice
- Kompany (Manchester City) ... as City fans know, our skipper elevates the entire squad (when fit)
- Vermaelen (Arsenal) ... had plenty of injuries, starting to return to form
- Vertonghen (Tottenham) ... one of the best PL defenders last year and this season is looking to repeat that form

... our midfield

- Fellaini (Manchester Utd.) ... made a big step and now needs to prove his worth at those other Red Devils
- Witsel (Zenit) ... undisputed
- Dembele (Tottenham) ... often flies under the radar, but is immensely valuable
- De Bruyne (Chelsea) ... tireless effort + incredible technique and almost always Man of the Match
- Hazard (Chelsea) ... flashes of brilliance + gamechanger

... and Benteke as our targetman while Lukaku can be used as an impact sub

- Mignolet: "ousted" Reina and had an excellent start at Liverpool
- V.Buyten: in his prime best in French & German leagues; for a while V.Blunder; has returned to form now
- Lombaerts: at Zenit they can't believe that he isn't a regular starter in the NT
- Defour: might be a consistent starter at club level soon
- Chadli: faces tough competition; might not get enough time on the pitch
- Mertens: faces tough competition; might not get enough time on the pitch
- Mirallas: has been excellent these days
...

 

Had tried to edit the OP (add Kompany to the 2006 squad), but this forum is a bit different from other ones where you can always make edits. Well I can either c/p it and make changes later in this thread or start a new thread when my mistakes have been spotted and Wilmots discloses the 23 players that will be selected for Brazil2014. Also about the 2006 squad: Kompany in ... Hoefkens out?

I doubt that Alderweireld will dislodge either Godin or Juanfran this season too. Most likely he'll remain a squad player and be rotated. Godin is a transfer target and Atletico are trying to extend his contract. Usually this is an extra incentive to keep Godin on the pitch as much as possible. Juanfran is a bit older but still in his prime (29 in January). Seems that Alderweireld is vying for his spot (made it more or less clear in an interview) and Courtois is lending a hand too.

About Mertens: Benitez seems eager to rotate Mertens and Insigne (Insigne, a youth product of Napoli, is a crowd pleaser and Napoli have a history of rewarding their youngsters with time on the pitch). I actually don't mind that Mertens could be used as an impact sub because if he gets selected for Brazil2014 that will most likely be the role he'll figure in. Fereira-Carrasco on the left wing is a nice prospect. Although I'm assuming KDB will burn up the right wing ... where does Hazard go?

 

Bakkali told "De Telegraaf" that he'd make his decision in a week or 2 (Wilmots also asked clarity before our Croatia match). I'm actually more excited about Bakkali's decision than the result against Croatia. As far as his career is concerned ... choosing Belgium has clear advantages and within our friendly bunch he'll feel at home from day 1 ... while the Moroccan state discriminates against Berbers and European Moroccans often have a hard time fitting into the Moroccan NT (+ Morocco missing out on Brazil2014 might also sway him). Chadli had already voiced criticism about how the Moroccan NT were going about their business ... the pressure is definitely on ... how would you feel at 17yo, having to make an irreversible career decision.

 

Modern football seems to require FBs and we're still looking to find the perfect fit. How is Verboom doing ... didn't get the feeling that he'd reach an "acceptable" level soon. Vermijl being loaned out to a mediocre club reads as (imho) last chance to prove that you'll have a career at a top tier (PL) club. Malanda and Cavanda seem the most viable options for the future.

Of course KDB can play in the middle of the pitch (he already has proven that he's comfortable in the centre). Yet all that buzz about Charly Jr. Musonda does make me wonder ... when there's only a kernel of truth, he'd be our best No. 10 ever ... Scifo was extremely young when he joined the Red Devils and these days we have lots of young guys that are starters. Charly would be almost 18 when Brazil2014 comes along ... not much younger than Bakkali ... same as Hazard & Kompany when they joined our NT ... Scifo was lauded at euro1984 (only 18yo) and during WC1986 he already had experienced a major tournament.

PS not saying that all our very young players should start, but they can already be valuable subs + will be better prepared for EURO2016, Russia2018, etc. Also the climate in Brazil could cause more problems for our "older" players (although Simons never plays and V.Buyten most likely will be a sub).

 

Hyperbolic rhetoric is used around the world and weirdly this "prison idea" example focuses on drugdealers. Yet Bakkali, who grew up in a "tough" neighbourhood like Witsel and Benteke, doesn't in the least bit fit into a category of criminals. He can be a role model like Chadli. I also grew up in a very tough neighbourhood and sports might have kept me on the "straight and narrow". As a football player, I wasn't as gifted ... as a basketball player however I did get selected by the NT. However you do not need to be an extremely talented athlete as social mobility can be achieved by various means. No Belgian school has ever turned me down because of my heritage and my university degrees, Law + Economics, are worth the same as those of my classmates. In Belgium you receive an excellent education which is open to everyone. How can you be a victim when society offers all the tools you need to be successful? Compared to other nations, we are a warm and funloving people that helps each other to succeed. Belgians are very friendly and inclusive ... have you seen how much fun the players in the NT have? Compared to other NTs, they smile a lot more (they even remind me of the Brazilians in 2002).

 

This deserves a thread of its own ... we're way off-topic but you can always invite me to a platform where this discussion is taking place. I've visited an atlas lions forum and I can tell you that the positivity I expressed is shared (although sometimes it's hard to cut through all the cynicism). One comment did offend me. I'm a "halfblood" and this seems to translate into being half a person/unworthy of joining the Moroccan NT. Well in the Belgian NT, I'd feel more welcome and less in danger of getting my heart broken.

 

ZAKARIA BAKKALI



Born: 26th of january 1996 in Liège
Team: PSV Eindhoven (Ned)
Position: Striker, Secondary Striker, Winger
​

STATISTICS YOUNG DEVILS

Belgium U21: 4 Games - 1 Goal and impressing at the Tournament of Toulon
Belgium U17: 9 Games - 7 Goals
Belgium U16: 4 Games - 4 Goals
Belgium U15: 6 Games - 5 Goals





PS it's being confirmed by more & more sources that Bakkali will join the Belgian NT.​

 

Seems like Wilmots already has a squad in mind for Brazil ... he said 90% has been locked (this number keeps popping up). Guessing these guys are going to Brazil (assuming everyone is in good shape):

Courtois (Chelsea - on loan to A.Madrid)
Alderweireld (A.Madrid)
Kompany (Manchester City)
Vermaelen (Arsenal)
Vertonghen (Tottenham)
Fellaini (Manchester Utd.)
Witsel (Zenit)
Dembele (Tottenham)
De Bruyne (Chelsea)
Hazard (Chelsea)
Benteke (A.Villa)

+

Mignolet (Liverpool)
Van Buyten (B. Munich)
Lombaerts (Zenit)
Defour (Porto)
Chadli (Tottenham)
Mirallas (Everton)
Mertens (Napoli)
Lukaku (Chelsea - on loan to Everton)

Casteels as the 3th string GK? Probably Pocognoli has also made the cut if 10% is still to be decided (Simons seems less likely as he hasn't played 1 minute during the qualifiers) => we'd need 2 more field players ... guessing 1 defender and 1 midfielder.

Maybe Y.F-C will be one of the 2 remaining players vying for a spot in the Brazil2014 selection ... still Hazard & Chadli usually occupy the left and Bakkali has a cap over him (on the right Mertens, Mirallas & KDB might crowd Bakkali out too ... although KDB will most likely feature in the middle of the park) ... and of course the Januzaj saga hasn't run its course. Nainggolan has some very stiff competition too ... all guys in the triangle seem locked but Nainggolan is a very decent player to add to the squad.

Cavanda seems unlikely unless he has a great season ... guessing Wilmots will at least take 8 defenders with him and then I'd go for a young fullback (Cavanda) over the likes of Ciman or Gillet.

Batshuayi, Jr. Malanda, Tielemans, Bruno, Praet, Pereira, Charly Jr. Musonda, Lestienne, Bossaerts, etc. seem less likely candidates to make their debut and travel to Brazil ... Simons is a great guy but I'd prefer Nainggolan to be one of the 23.

 

If Wilmots has Simons in mind ... that would mean one of the players on my (best guess) list would be out ... Mertens? ... in that case Nainggolan would stand less of a chance while Mertens might be competing for one of the remaining 2 slots (the other slot most likely going to a RB).

In the case of V.Buyten ... I'd say he still adds to the squad during this campaign (also as far as this is a valid indication, Wilmots was caught hugging big Dan and saying: oh no ... I'll be stuck with you again - in reference to their time together at WC2002) ... still I'd like Kompany to remain fit during Brazil2014 and keep Dan from getting minutes on the pitch (you're never 100% certain that you'll see V.Blunder or Big Dan). Looking towards the future (to replace V.Buyten when he retires) ... Bossaerts and Boyata (to a lesser extent) could be Kompany's understudy at club & NT level. Simons however doesn't seem to add much to the current squad ... he's a great guy (as kids we played together & he hasn't lost his childish sense of humour) but cutting the likes of Bakkali, Fereira-Carrasco or Nainggolan from the Brazil2014 shortlist feels like a bigger loss. If Simons is one of the 23 ... I'm hoping he proposes to join the staff instead.

PS Fereira-Carrasco vs Mertens also deserves a closer look at the end of the season. Right now I prefer Fereira-Carrasco over Mertens ... as an impact sub he can cause more trouble than Dries.

PPS which are the most likely candidates (regarding the 21 locked players + 2 undecided ones)? I'm in the dark, especially when it comes to wing-/fullbacks ... as I'd like to see Kompany & Vertonghen as CBs in the starting XI and on the left a pacy wingback that can overlap with e.g. Hazard ... Alderweireld isn't ideal as a RB too (like Mertens, he deserves time to prove himself).

 

Depending on the phase of play we'll transition into a 4-5-1, in defense, and into a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 when attacking. I don't see Wilmots using anything else than a solid back 4 and I assume he'd like to take 8 defenders with him to Brazil (preferably adding better attacking full-backs than we currently have). Unless Vermaelen doesn't return to form/get time on the pitch at all ... I'd bet that he'll be selected (already is 1 of the 21 "locked" players) and either starts as CB or subs for Lombaerts.

On the left we make do with Vertonghen who has a tendency to stray to the middle of the park instead of overlapping on the left (especially when a stealthy LB does this, marking becomes much harder). Although he's our best LB at the moment, he'd perform better as a CB "married" to Kompany ... yet that kind of chemistry takes time and if possible I'd look to center halves that have played/are playing together at the same club (in NTs it's hard to build a level of trust that rivals that of seasoned CB couples ... Bossaerts and to a lesser extent Boyata might be considered in future campaigns). Both Lombaerts & Vermaelen yield similar results when you use them as LBs instead of CBs (only have seen Lombaerts act as a LB a few times while Vermaelen seems to have more experience). We'll have to wait and see if Vermaelen returns to form ... he had a few serious injuries so I'd give him more time to come back. Instead of Van Damme ... I'd stick with Pocognoli as back-up and I think Wilmots has reserved a seat for him on the bench.

Alderweireld isn't a natural fit on the right but besides the scary prospect of Gillet getting on the pitch ... I don't know who'd be a better RB than Cavanda (he could raise eyebrows in Brazil ... in a good way). He isn't a perfect son-in-law type but as a RB we can use a bad boy to burn up & down the flanks and to hassle the opposition's wingers. Given time Cavanda could develop into the finished article ... still if he has a great season and shows a "kampfschwein" attitude ... Wilmots might consider him as a sub for (Terror) Toby.

Simons lacks the hybrid profile of the 3 players that break up play in front of our defenders and direct the transition from defense to offense (often stretching the pitch and always quick to react). Sometimes one of them plays as the #10, while the other two settle down as the pivot, and sometimes two attack and one sits back. This fluidity and versatility gives us a variety of options in attack and defense. Guys like Witsel, Fellaini, Dembele, etc. can create havoc in teams that commit too much players when attacking and in that case we often have a numerical advantage in defense & attack on top of our player's technical ability. Unlike Simons, Nainggolan and even Jr. Malanda can be slotted in without losing our edge.

Our wide players have the tendency to cut inside or play as pure wingers, which helps them make the pitch narrow or wide at will. I wouldn't mind it if Wilmots has plenty of choice in this department. In the past he hasn't used them economically and because we have many players that can make an impact coming off the bench ... I'd think Ferreira-Carrasco or Bakkali have a fair chance of going to Brazil ... still we don't have as many spots on our squad as Chelsea.