Everton’s Amadou Onana and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia could be playing their way into Belgium’s Qatar World Cup squad if they continue their impressive starts to the season.
That’s according to analysts Fillip Joos and Peter Vandenbempt, who have hailed the duo and believe they could replace experienced players in Roberto Martinez’s squad.
Onana joined Everton in a £31.5m deal from Lille earlier this summer, with the Toffees moving quickly to secure his signature following weeks of links with West Ham.
Lavia was also the subject of a move this summer, swapping Manchester City’s U21s for Southampton in a £11.07m deal.
Both players have quickly established themselves at their new clubs, with Onana recently starring for Everton in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Lavia couldn’t match that as he’s currently nursing a hamstring injury but has been among Southampton’s best performers at the beginning of the season.
That’s not gone unnoticed back in his homeland, where Joos and Vandenbempt believe both could soon be starring for Belgium in Qatar.
“There are a few things that point to change,” Filip Joos said, reported by Sporza.
“Romeo Lavia is doing well. Onana is doing at least as well, because he was very good against Liverpool.
“Lavia and Onana are young players, they bring energy and that is partly the problem with the Red Devils, isn’t it? They are different. They could play together,” concludes Filip Joos.
“We know it is difficult to penetrate Martinez’s group, because the national coach is rather conservative in his choices,” added Vandenbempt.
“I don’t want to sell Witsel short, because too many coaches have praised him for that, but that energy is the next level these days.
“Fellaini instils fear in opponents and was certainly not a big and clumsy player, but Onana has more footballing qualities.”
