Top 5 Belgian youngsters in football

There must be something in the air in Belgium which causes them to produce so many talented footballers. The Belgium national team are set to dazzle everyone in this year’s World Cup after just conceding 2 goals and acing their group. Marouane Fellaini, Kevin Mirallas and Jan Vertonghen have become familiar names over the years but there is another group of youngsters waiting to show the world what they can do with a football at their feet. Here is a list of 5 young Belgians that are taking the world by storm with their skills:

5. Adnan Januzaj

Januzaj has been one of the revelations of the season

While some might be surprised that Januzaj is so low on the list it must not be forgotten that he has a lot to prove as he is still in his first year of first-team football unlike the others on this list. All that aside the teenager has been nothing short of brilliant for Manchester United this season and has been their shining light during their darkest times.

The 19-year-old introduced himself to the world with a stunning brace against Sunderland in his first start for the club followed by a series of impressive displays which earned him a new five year contract with the club. The youngster continued his breath taking performance in December scoring a brilliant goal against West Ham United which helped him earned the Player of the Month award.

Januzaj is destined to become one of the best players in the world but should bulk up and pledge his future to a national team in order to realize that dream faster.

4. Christian Benteke

Benteke is Aston Villa’s best player

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert really pulled off a coup when he managed to sign the young forward for just £7 million from Genk back in 2012. The youngster made an immediate impact for his new club when he scored on his debut against Swansea in Aston’s opening game of the previous season. The 23-year-old fired 19 goals in all competitions in his first season at the club which was even more than his high flying countryman Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world and even handed in a transfer request but was ultimately convinced by manager Paul Lambert to stay at the club. The youngster began the new season brightly by scoring a brace against Arsenal followed by one against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and was called “unplayable” by Lambert for his performances. Villa will struggle to hold on to him later as he is only scratching the surface and will soon become one of the best strikers in the world.

3. Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku : Eager to prove a point

Many Chelsea fans were left baffled when Jose Mourinho chose to let Lukaku join Everton on loan after performing brilliantly for West Bromwich Albion last season. The 20-year-old had an incredible season with the Baggies scoring 17 goals including one against Liverpool on his debut and a perfect hat-trick against Manchester United on the last day of the season. The striker has a lethal eye for goal along with good pace and the strength of an ox.

Lukaku is currently having a stellar season with Everton scoring some important goals including one against Manchester City and a brace against Liverpool in the first Merseyside Derby of this season. The forward scored a brace against Crotia which helped the Belgian national team qualify for this years World Cup and could be one of competitions the stand-out players if he keeps up his good form. Chelsea will surely be looking forward to his return next season.

2. Eden Hazard

Hazard has been brilliant for Chelsea this season

Manchester United must be hurting when they see Hazard performing so well for Chelsea. The 23-year-old turned down United for the Blues and has not looked back since then. The youngster had a promising first season for Chelsea scoring 13 goals in 62 appearances for the London club but has totally surpassed his previous form this season.

Hazard is blessed with some incredible talent including some skillful passing, pace and good reading of the game. The winger has scored some important goals this season including one against Bayern Munich, braces against Cardiff and Sunderland, a 25-yard goal against Liverpool, the match winning goal against Manchester City and most recently a wonderful hat-trick against Newcastle United.

In spite of his wonderful performances for Chelsea, Hazard is still one of the most under-rated players out there and has not received any major individual accolades with the Blues except having been included in the Premier League Team of the Year. All that will hopefully change in the near future as Hazard is expected to smash the 20 goal barrier this season.

1. Thibaut Courtois

Courtois is one of the best young goalkeepers in the world

Chelsea are surely lucky to have 3 of the world’s best young players on their books. Courtois is another Belgian talent that is impressing the world with his skills. The 21-year-old is close to making a 100 appearances for his temporary club Atletico Madrid where he won the LFP Goalkeeper of the Year. Courtois is certainly an overachiever and will soon become on of the best goalkeepers in the world. The Belgian stopper kept four clean sheets in his first six games for Atletico and followed that up with a string of brilliant performances in goal including the 2-1 victory over Real Madrid where he picked up the Man of the Match award.

The goalkeeper has already amassed 14 appearances for the Belgian national team displacing Simon Mignolet as the first choice keeper in the process. It will be no surprise if Courtois wins the Golden Glove in the World Cup. Courtois may have to wait for awhile to be the number 1 at Chelsea as Petr Cech is still in top shape but can gain experience abroad. If the youngster chooses to leave Chelsea there will be no shortage of clubs keen to acquire his services.