The Belgian football parade makes its way to England

Next in the list is none other than Vincent Kompany. A product of the Anderlecht youth academy, Kompany made his way to Hamburg where he was brought in to replace the outgoing Daniel van Buyten, who left for Bayern Munich. Kompany was then brought to Manchester City by Mark Hughes, the manager of the club at the time. Vincent Kompany, since then, has developed into one of Europe’s finest defenders. Attaining captaincy at both club and international level, Kompany’s mentality, attitude and leadership qualities have earned laurels from many.

Although a recurring knee injury has haunted him from time to time, throughout his career, Kompany has always come back strong and has made himself a massive figure, both mentally and physically in the team. Kompany has won the Belgian Young Professional Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2005, Premier League Player of the Season in 2011-12 and has earned himself a spot in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the seasons 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Spurs’ latest center back, Jan Vertonghen made himself known in the 6 years he spent at Ajax. Aged 26, and standing in at 6 feet 2 inches, Vertonghen is yet another Ajax youth academy product. Having picked up a bit of the Dutch flair after spending almost 9 years in Netherlands, Vertonghen is one of those centerbacks that have a bit of attacking intent in him. Vertonghen has proved to have the ability to calmly take the ball out of defense, has the eye for a good interception and is able to hold on to the ball really well.

As for that attacking intent earlier spoken about, Vertonghen has a much praised left foot and is a threat from indirect free kicks as well as long range shots. He is capable of long passes, much like the orthodox style of English football. Vertonghen was named Ajax’s club captain following Stekelenburg’s departure to Roma and already has 49 senior caps for his national team.

Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen is the second Belgian to be currently captaining a Premier League club along with Kompany. A path similar to that of Vertonghen, Vermaelen too, was a product of the Ajax youth academy. Vermaelen spent almost 6 years at Ajax and managed to field 99 appearances for the club before finding his way to the English capital where he joined Arsenal. He was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in his debut season in England.

Vermaelen has become an inspiring figure at the Emirates and has become a fan favorite at the London club. He has grown to adapt to the Arsenal style of play and is often an aerial threat from set pieces. Although Vermaelen does lack strength in concentration, his leadership qualities have impressed Wenger enough to name him the club captain, following Robin van Persie’s departure from the club.

This next Belgian made his way to France first before presenting himself in the Premier League. Eden Hazard is widely regarded as one of the most gifted young players in modern football. Hazard spent two years in Lille’s youth academy before making his senior debut at the tender age of 16 for the club. Hazard spent the next five years in France making a name for himself, racking up more than 190 senior appearances, winning the UNFP Young Player of the Year twice in consecutive seasons, UNFP Player of the Year twice in consecutive seasons and a part of the Ligue 1 Team of the Year for three consecutive seasons.

In 2012, he moved to Chelsea after revealing on Twitter that he would be signing for “the Champions League Winners”. Still at 22, Hazard has a breath taking style of play ranging from his quick bursts of pace, dribbles, assists, through balls and key passes. Although having a lack of defensive contribution and aerial threat, Hazard is undoubtedly an asset to any team.

Everton’s key man of last season, Marouane Fellaini played at a number of youth teams (one Dutch and four Belgian) before finally making a breaking through at Standard Liege in 2006. In the next two years, Fellaini made himself known in the Pro League after making 84 appearances for Liege and winning the Ebony Shoe in 2008 (Fellaini is of African descent as his parents are Moroccan, hence his eligibility for the award).

Fellaini then moved to Everton for a fee of 15 million pounds (Everton’s club record) and has been at the club ever since. Under Moyes, Fellaini has experimented in a variety of playing positions from second striker to a defensive midfielder. Known for his heading ability, threat from set pieces, efficiency of aerial duels, defensive contribution and more noticeably, his afro, Fellaini has developed into a proper box to box midfielder that has really come of age.