Yannick Carrasco had a great game for Belgium against Bosnia, but the Atletico Madrid player will be missing his country’s Tuesday match against Cyprus.
Manager Roberto Martinez has options to replace Carrasco, and Belgium’s DH point out the two most obvious are Nacer Chadli and Thorgan Hazard.
Chadli is thought to be the favourite, despite not figuring much for Tony Pulis at West Brom this season. Whilst his club situation certainly isn’t ideal, the 28 year old will be pleased with the faith shown by Roberto Martinez to call him up for Belgium.
The West Brom man is the favourite to start, and came on for Carrasco at the weekend, but Thorgan Hazard is quoted by Belgium’s DH as saying: “I can play this position, and I did it this season in Monchengladbach, it was in a 4-4-2 but I also had to run a lot on the left side. Chadli is also a candidate but I feel ready and in good shape.”
The Borrussia Monchengladbach player is well within his rights to lobby for a place, but Chadli has a right to be annoyed that Thorgan’s big brother has got involved too.
Being Belgium captain, it may be considered wise for Hazard to stay out of such situations, and not be seen to have any preference over team selection, especially when it’s his brother involved.
DH quote the Chelsea plauyer as saying: “I hope that it’s Thorgan who will replace Yannick on Tuesday, it would be our first start together, we played games, but it’s much harder to both start, I will go directly to put pressure on the coach.”
Hazard smiled after his comment, explain DH, to show it was lighthearted, but they say he then went on to put the case forward for his brother: “He’s become one of the bosses of his club and had a good start to the season. Thorgan has the capability to do it and he really wants it, but he is also aware of the competition for this position.”
Nacer Chadli may not be thrilled.
