Hans Kraaij lauds Van Bommel’s start while Xavi remains untouched

Hans Kraaij junior, the Dutch columnist, declares that Mark van Bommel has begun his tenure as Belgium’s national coach with flair, even as the name Xavi is mentioned only to underline the contrast.

Kraaij’s lyrical endorsement

Kraaij, writing in his column, hails the Dutchman’s impact, coining the phrase “Bommel Plus” to describe the boost he has given Belgium. He notes that in just three tactical sessions the side have adopted a high‑pressing style that feels almost flawless.

The columnist stresses that the Belgians have embraced Van Bommel’s ideas, shifting from the cautious, catenaccio‑inspired approaches of predecessors Rudi Garcia, Domenico Tedesco and Roberto Martínez to a more attacking mindset, despite only an hour of daily one‑on‑one drills.

According to Kraaij, Van Bommel has also revived several senior figures: Kevin De Bruyne appears to have received a ten‑year rejuvenation, Mika Godts is emerging as a regular international, Charles De Ketelaere is the fresh number 9, and captain Youri Tielemans leads a squad that fully trusts the Dutch coach.

De Bruyne calls for new leaders as Lavia shines after Belgium’s 4‑1 loss to France

Van Bommel’s own assessment

In a VTM interview, Van Bommel expressed satisfaction with the recent performances, even after a loss to France, and predicted that Belgium will soon defeat a top nation, adding that the team aims to qualify for the European Championship in two years.

He singled out Roméo Lavia for praise, calling the youngster’s display “great” and suggesting he is already better than Van Bommel was at the same age, while noting that Lavia’s future remains bright whether at Chelsea or elsewhere.

Mark van Bommel spots winners and five losers early in the window

Reflecting on the French match, Van Bommel admitted the first ten minutes were poor but highlighted a later surge that produced a fantastic goal, a strong defensive effort in the final quarter and a clear upward trajectory after solid displays against Italy and Turkey.