Marc Degryse greets Van Bommel but doubts Lukaku’s form
While Marc Degryse welcomes Mark van Bommel's first steps at the helm of the Red Devils, the former Belgian international raises a major doubt: could Romelu Lukaku physically assume the role demanded by the new playing system?
A promising start under Van Bommel
Degryse describes Van Bommel's arrival as a breath of fresh air for Belgium. He highlights the rapid buy‑in of the dressing room to the tactical principles imposed against France and Italy, and notes that several youngsters have already emerged. The consultant also noted that the strategy has already yielded positive results against high‑level opponents. Within the framework of Red Devils Football Sports, he believes the Belgian football sector is closely following these developments.
"Roméo Lavia was truly impressive," he says, adding that the midfielder could even claim a place in the French team. He even suggested that Lavia could be spotted by European clubs thanks to this performance. This remark shows the manager's openness to varied profiles.
The physical doubt surrounding Lukaku
However, striker Romelu Lukaku was almost invisible during the gathering. Degryse recalls that he played only ten minutes against Italy and did not feature at all against France. This absence raises questions about the Belgian giant's playing‑time management.
Degryse and Defour warn about Lukaku's problem at Fenerbahçe
The problem, according to Degryse, stems from Van Bommel's style, based on constant intensity and pressing. "The football Van Bommel wants to play demands a huge amount of energy," the consultant stresses. The intense press requires every attacker to take part in ball recovery as soon as possession is lost.
If Charles De Ketelaere has managed to be useful thanks to his defensive work rate, it shows that the physical role is achievable. De Ketelaere, at only twenty‑one, demonstrates that youth can meet the system's physical demands. Degryse nevertheless doubts that the national team's all‑time top scorer still possesses the required condition.
He concludes that Lukaku must urgently accumulate playing time at Fenerbahçe, otherwise he will face a serious problem. Without regular minutes, Lukaku's physical condition risks further deterioration, compromising his attacking effectiveness.
Alex Teklak greets Lavia, Belgian midfielder who outplays De Ketelaere against France
Journalist Henry Meekers relayed these observations, reminding that the debate over Lukaku's form fits within the broader renewal of the Red Devils, Belgium's Red team. This analysis comes as Belgium prepares its upcoming international commitments.