Mark van Bommel spots winners and five losers early in the window
The first international window of Mark van Bommel at the helm of the Red Devils has concluded, revealing a few successful players but also five major losers, according to the assessment that the new coach compiled after four sporting matches within the framework of the Sports.
In the notes of Christophe Franken, head of the football section, the duo Romeo Lavia‑Diego Moreira is described as a gathering that will not please the two friends in the same way. Franken points out that the four matches of the international window provided enough insight for a first assessment. The itinerary covered cities such as Tubize, Rome, Brussels, Liège and Paris. The Red Devils experienced World Cups that lasted less time, which shows the brevity of the opportunities.
Player evaluations
Romeo Lavia, defensive midfielder of Chelsea, started only two times out of four, but van Bommel would choose him systematically if he could. In Belgium, he played 217 minutes without a physical alert, aside from cramps at the end of the match against France, displaying class and confidence. Suspended in Turkey, he will miss the November gathering, but his place in the midfield triangle with captain Youri Tielemans and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne already appears secured.
Nicolas Raskin obtained the highest average rating of the window, 7.5 out of 10, after brilliant performances in Italy and against Turkey, but he disappointed against France. The coach notes that Raskin's rating is declining, without mentioning the expected return of Amadou Onana in 2027 after his serious injury. Kevin De Bruyne, at 35 years old, showed that he retains a class capable of raising the crowds.
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Goalkeeper situation
Thibaut Courtois is no longer the main subject, even if the Real Madrid goalkeeper remains in the media spotlight. Thomas Lammens secured the clean sheet in Italy then against Turkey thanks to decisive saves, becoming the undisputed number 1 of the moment. Maarten Vandevoordt, who made his debut in Paris on Monday evening, will have to prove that he can keep this spot when all the goalkeepers of the Kingdom make themselves available.
Hans Vanaken did not manage to create doubt in the hierarchy, the two-year age gap with De Bruyne on the identity card does not translate into superior performances. The Napoli playmaker remains the best solution according to van Bommel, motivated and convinced that the philosophy of the coach suits him better than that of Rudi Garcia. An appointment is scheduled for 12 November in Izmir to confirm this choice.
Lukébakio's situation remains strange: often seen as the ideal twelfth man, even the thirteenth when Belgium plays at home, he inspires the desire to see him start when he comes off the bench creating spectacular differences. Observers, however, turn to other wingers when he begins a match.
13h news: Red Devils under pressure before second clash with France
Mark van Bommel will need to quickly clarify the situation in goal, the shadow of Courtois still looming over decisions. The new hierarchy project, sketched as a draft for 2028, will serve as the basis for the next gatherings of the Red Devils.