Mark van Bommel: Kevin De Bruyne back, Mika Godts straight to Belgium
Mark van Bommel (49) greeted French national team coach Zinedine Zidane after a 4-1 defeat to France, but nevertheless could look back on a very successful debut with the Belgian national team, where Kevin De Bruyne looks reborn and Mika Godts is immediately deployed.
New dynamism in midfield
The shift from Belgium's ‘golden generation’ to a younger, talented cohort was already evident under Rudi Garcia, but Van Bommel is now firmly driving the transition. Romeo Lavia delivered a brilliant pass yesterday that led to the 0-1 against France; the 22-year-old midfielder debuted in 2023, then spent almost two years on the sidelines at Chelsea, and is now in top shape.
Kevin De Bruyne (35) has experienced a second youth under the new national coach. After a transfer from Manchester City to Napoli and a mediocre World Cup, he missed the match against France due to a suspension, but stole the show against Turkey with two goals – first in combination with Dodi Lukebakio, then solo. “Van Bommel’s football suits me better,” De Bruyne said, adding: “I can already see how he wants to play.” Journalist Johan Inan noted in the Latest update that “Kev” is once again in full form.
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Wing renewal and defensive options
Mika Godts, 21, forced a debut during a strong season at Ajax and, after a mega transfer to PSG, Van Bommel immediately gave him a spot as left winger; he scored against Italy and is praised for his agile dribbling. Joaquin Seys, a dynamic left back from Club Brugge, also made an excellent impression, while Lukebakio, Godts and Moreira form the quick wing forwards that support the vertical style of play.
In the absence of Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United) proved to be a solid stand‑in, although a mistake in the World Cup quarter‑final against Spain led to elimination. Another backup goalkeeper, Maarten Vandevoort of RB Leipzig, shone recently against France. The Belgian approach is praised by many as refreshing and intense.
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Van Bommel received compliments from assistants Reinier Robbemond, Maarten Martens and Boudewijn Zenden about the clarity they have brought to the style of play. At the first presentation to the squad, the former Dutch captain showed footage of Arsenal and Newcastle United to make clear that now the team attacks together and defends en masse. “I don’t want to be a schoolmaster, but I do want to play football with an idea. We need to know what we want to do,” Van Bommel concluded.