Patrick Barclay: Januzaj’s right to stall Belgium… he won’t get in their starting XI

 
14 October 2013

If Adnan Januzaj were to make a practical decision on his international future, the best argument for waiting for England would be the difficulty he would face in obtaining possession of a Belgium shirt — at least one not concealed by a substitute’s tracksuit.

While England’s long-term planners factor in retirements of Frank Lampard and eventually Steven Gerrard, the Belgians might lose only the Bayern Munich fringe player Daniel van Buyten between now and the 2018 World Cup, let alone the European Championship over the border in France two years before.

That youthful ambition invigorates Marc Wilmots’ squad was emphasised as they sealed qualification for next summer in Brazil by winning in Croatia; it was all but over in the first half as the 20-year-old Romelu Lukaku (above) scored twice in the imperious manner of Brazil’s own most recent world beater, the gap-toothed and grinning Ronaldo of fond memory.

Because of Lukaku, no less a force than Christian Benteke (currently injured) may merely have to live in hope of getting off the bench next summer. As Mousa Dembele, recognised as one of the Premier League’s most accomplished midfielders, often does at present.

Meanwhile, the richly gifted 18-year-old Januzaj would face competition from a prodigy even younger than himself — prepare to marvel at the goalscoring winger Zakaria Bakkali — as well as Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas and the underrated Dries Mertens.

Georges Leekens, who immediately preceded Wilmots, forecast that his country would be ahead of their Dutch neighbours by 2014 and, despite Holland’s eight-goal thrashing of Hungary at the weekend, the Belgian squad have the chance to prove him right in Brazil. Their entitlement to be considered dark horses is increasingly convincing.

Captained by Spurs’ Jan Vertonghen in the absence of Vincent Kompany (and with Vertonghen’s club-mates Dembele and Nacer Chadli among the ranks of the substitutes), they pressed higher up the pitch than usual in Zagreb and seemed to benefit — not least Lukaku, whom Everton must wish Chelsea would let them have for ever.

More likely, something like a new Didier Drogba will return to the Bridge, perhaps to be joined by Thibaut Courtois, who, with Atletico Madrid, has established himself as the next Petr Cech. Say what you like about Chelsea’s managerial merry-go-round; someone at the club can spot a young player of genuine potential. Maybe the clue lies in the Belgian passport.

Although Belgium have won 10 of their 15 matches under Wilmots, one of two defeats was at the hands of England, who are not as far from dark-horse status as their supporters, with refreshing modesty, believe. Those who say Roy Hodgson’s men cannot live with the best should remember not only that they drew in the Maracana in June but that subsequent visitors to Brazil, for further friendlies or the Confederations Cup, were all soundly beaten.

These included Spain, who will return next summer seeking a fourth consecutive international championship. Is there another summer in the great Xavi? That’s my worry on Spain’s behalf, alongside a shortage of top-class central defenders which they share with many nations, England among them. Germany too, for all their wealth in the flair department with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos.

Brazil are rightly considered favourites because they, under the guidance of two World Cup winners (Big Phil Scolari has Carlos Albert Parreira as his assistant), look strong from back to front.

David Luiz has become a commanding presence for his country, giving Scolari such a trio of centre-backs —with Dante and Thiago Silva — that he may ponder the option of going to 3-5-2, as in the Far East in 2002.

If they had a worry, as they strolled to victory in South Korea before turning their thoughts to Zambia in Beijing tomorrow, it could only be that they have peaked too soon and made life easy.

Friendlies are dead and I have got the perfect replacement

Replacing international friendlies with a Nations League, as discussed by UEFA, is such a good idea that inveterate reformers will be annoyed they did not think of it first. But there is a better one.

The problem with a Nations League is that it would either dilute the prestige of the European Championship or appear, as in the case of the Europa League, second-rate (despite the difference that it would contain the same teams as the senior competition).

Much more sensible would be to play the European Championship every two years.

My own wish has always been to have both World Cups and Euros on a biennial basis, so there would be a tournament every summer (or winter, if the better option thrown up by the Qatar shenanigans is adopted). This would provide more of a balance of revenue between the club and international games, thus easing the political tension between them that threatens the latter.

But people don’t like this. They say of the World Cup: “Having it only every four years makes it special.” So why, I say, not apply the same principle to Christmas dinner? They sigh. Or the Champions League then? The silence of implacable conservatism descends. Sometimes you just have to give up.

UEFA’s Nations League debate, however, suggests that more frequent competition is far from taboo in the European arena.

So, since it appears obvious that the overdue death of the international friendly (apart from the odd centenary match) is a matter of time, let it be done properly.

The next European Championship will be in France in 2016. A streamlined qualification process — 22 groups of two or three — would enable the next to be held the following summer and then it would go to 2019, 2021 and so on.

In Europe at least, club and country could coexist in the heat of constant competition. There would be no time for friendlies. And no need. Countries could afford to pay clubs for their share of the players. Meaningless, substitute-strewn internationals would be a thing of the past and we’d wonder why we ever bothered with them.

Big two are in danger

Two players expected to illuminate the World Cup — Neymar and Lionel Messi — face an additional challenge because a lenient style of refereeing remains in fashion. In South Korea, for instance, Neymar was cynically fouled in turn but, of seven or eight offenders, only one was yellow carded by the Uzbekistani referee, apparently at random. Neymar (right) had no option but to anticipate falls and, for the viewer, it was little consolation that he scored one of Brazil’s goals from a free-kick.

Ban the England band

Maybe it will be different tomorrow but it struck me during the Montenegro match that England, for all their vast support, lack the benefit of home atmosphere (if you listened to the noise that carried Sweden to victory over Austria, you’ll know what I mean). Wembley could help by banning the England band, whose out-of-context interruptions merely irritate intelligent supporters into silence. As kick-off approaches, and throughout the match, a crowd makes its own atmosphere.

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