Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco has been urged to pick Royal Antwerp star Arthur Vermeeren in place of Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans for this month’s international break.
That’s according to former Belgium international François Van der Elst and he made this claim when analysing Vermeeren’s rise for Gazet van Antwerpen.
The 18-year-old has played 14 games for the Jupiler Pro League side this season and his fine displays have clearly not gone unnoticed. The same cannot be said about the Aston Villa player, who has struggled for regular minutes under Unai Emery.
Tielemans arrived at Villa Park as a free agent in the summer and is still waiting to make his first league start for the Villans after 11 appearances.
The 26-year-old’s struggles at the Premier League side and also Vermeeren’s rise has seen Van der Elst suggest Tedesco drop the Aston Villa man.
“Vermeeren is certainly international worthy. Because we have seen for 50 matches that he’s very good,” he said.
“In my opinion he can join the ranks of Scifo, Kompany and other Vanden Borres, who made their debut at the age of 18 or even earlier. Tedesco has also given Aster Vranckx a chance, so it is certainly possible.
“The places are of course expensive, but you cannot say that Youri Tielemans is currently doing great. He even sits on the bench at Aston Villa every week. Vermeeren could take his place. He deserves it more.”
Tedesco left the former Leicester man on the bench in Belgium’s win over Estonia last month and there were suggestions that Tielemans’ situation could become even worse with the national team.
The Belgium manager will announce the squad later today and then it will be clear what he’s decided.
