Youri Tielemans has finally ‘woken up’ and needs to continue the form that led to his double for Belgium back at Aston Villa.
That’s according to Belgian analyst Jan Mulder, who has joked he witnessed ‘something historic’ with the midfielder’s two goals against England.
Tielemans was at the double in Belgium’s 2-2 draw with England on Tuesday, punishing mistakes from the Three Lions to get himself on the scoresheet.
The two goals took him to seven in 68 games for his country but were his first for the Red Devils since November 2022, when he bagged one in the 1-1 draw with Wales in the UEFA Nations League.
It was a big moment for the 26-year-old in what has been something of a frustrating season at Aston Villa, whom he joined in the summer transfer window.
He had moved from Leicester on a free transfer hoping to take the next step in his career under Unai Emery but has instead found himself playing more of a substitute role under the Spanish coach, featuring in just 44% of the available minutes in the Premier League.
The midfielder has featured a bit more of late and will hope that continues between now and the end the season, with this performance certainly catching the eye.
Mulder was impressed by what he saw and has urged the midfielder to take it back to Aston Villa and really kick on.
“I experienced something historic here,” Voetbal Belgie quote him saying to VTM.
“Youri Tielemans has woken up. That’s how he should play! With that intensity. He scored a glorious goal thanks to Lukaku. I’m happy.”
Marc Degryse, meanwhile, had him as man of the match.
“You can say that when you score twice,” he added.
“He first punishes Pickford’s mistake well. Even if it is a gift, you should be able to do it just like that.”
