5 key players for Belgium at the FIFA World Cup 2014

In a squad brimming with quality, Belgium have some of the biggest names in club football among their ranks. However, it will be interesting to see if they can replicate their sparkling domesticform for the national team, given that they do not have much experience in such high-pressure tournaments, having not qualifiedfor the last two World Cups.Among the several star-names, a few stand out for the sheer level of performances for their clubs and their importance to the national side. Should they have a fine tournament, Belgium could go a long way in Brazil.You can see the Top 5 players for other teams here:FIFA World Cup top 5 Players for each country

#1 Thibaut Courtois

Loaned to Atletico Madrid for a third consecutive season by Chelsea, Courtois had a better year than any of the Chelsea players in 2013-14 as the Los Rojiblancos won La Liga and finished as runner-ups to cross-city rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Courtois has been instrumental in Atletico’s rise, conceding a league-low 26 goals in 2013-14, and will need to be at the top of his game at the World Cup as he does not have Atletico’s miserly defence protecting him. Toby Alderweireld, the only other Belgian at the club, could be a starter at the World Cup. But at Atletico, players such as Juanfran, Miranda and Diego Godin are above him in the pecking order.

Although just 22, Courtois has more than 200 appearances for club and country at the highest level, and has won the league title in Belgium and Spain, as well as the Copa Del Rey, UEFA Europa League and the Super Cup. Therefore, nerves will not be a worry for him.

The debate on whether he is the world’s best goalkeeper should probably be kept on hold until the World up ends, but Manuel Neuer, Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon have a new rival to contend with.

#2 Vincent Kompany

Captain on the domestic and international stage, Kompany made his debut for the national side at the age of 17. Although the Manchester City skipper lifted the premier league and League Cup trophy last season, he made just 19 appearances due to injury. But he was back when it mattered most, and Belgium will need him to lead from the front.

It is likely that Begium will field four central defenders in their back-line, and as a result, Kompany will have to ensure that no one is caught out of position. But given his pace and power, Kompany’s footballing attributes will be as essential to the Belgian cause as his leadership skills.

Kompany, at 28 years old, is at the peak of his powers. With a gifted generation of footballers around him and a seemingly manageable group consisting of South Korea, Algeria and Russia, he will feel that such a chance will not come again.

#3 Axel Witsel

It said a lot about Witsel’s abilities when Benfica signed him as a 22-year-old from Standard Liege in 2011 and inserted a 40-million-euro buyout clause in his contract. And just over a year later, Zenit St. Petersburg activated the clause.

In a team burgeoning with attacking talent, Witsel will be pivotal in providing mid-field solidity along with Steven Defour or Marouane Fellaini so that the front four can roam about and do what they do best. But Witsel is no mug when it comes to scoring goals, having won the Belgian Golden Shoe in 2008.

The mid-fielder contributes to the substantial physical presence the Belgians have at their disposal, and would be handy in set-piece situations at either end. However, passing the ball around and keeping possession would be his primary task along with linking up the attacking trio of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Kevin Mirallas with the back four.

With a back-line that fancies itself going forward – Vetonghen and Kompany tend to score goals in non set-piece situations too – Witsel will have to be quick to cover up vacant areas.

#4 Eden Hazard

Accused by Jose Mourinho, his manager at Chelsea, of not sacrificing himself for the team by not tracking back and contributing to the the defensive aspect of the game, one could be forgiven for thinking that Hazard has been off his game recently. But you get what you see with Hazard. He was not voted as Chelsea’s player of the season or second, behind winner Luis Suarez, at the PFA Player of the Year awards or won the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2013-14 for his defensive abilities. Quite simply, Hazard is someone who should be in the opposition’s half, frightening them with pace and movement not seen everyday.

With feet like lightening and a brain to match, Hazard came into his own in the recently concluded season, pushing Chelsea on and making nonsense of their lack of a free-scoring striker, contributing 17 goals the entire year. However, there are games when Hazard drifts in and out, not influencing the run of play as a player of his ability should.

Hazard will shoulder a large portion of the goal-scoring burden, but if his past performance for Belgium is anything to go by, they could be in sizable trouble. A meagre return of five goals and 10 assists in 43 games for the national side are not inspiring numbers, and one can only hope that an individually magnificent season for Chelsea could make him tick internationally too.

#5 Romelu Lukaku

With Christian Benteke ruled out due to injury, young Lukakus position in the starting eleven is assured. And Jose Mourinho will be looking at his performances rather closely, considering that Lukaku will be linking up with Hazard, his club-mate at Chelsea.

Lukakus is a case of being too good at too young an age, at least when it comes to his place or the lack of it at Chelsea. But for Belgium, he faces no such issue. Having scored 8 goals in 28 appearance for the national team, Lukaku has made a mockery of Chelseas decision to loan him out, first to West Bromwich Albion, and then to Everton, scoring a total of 33 goals in two seasons even as Chelseas forwards struggled to convert all the chances Hazard and company created for them.

After another fruitful season on loan, this time at Everton, Lukaku could be ready to shine. His willingness to work from wide positions, a significant aerial threat, pace to burn and bountiful energy will make him integral to Belgiums hopes. And if he continues his present form he scored his first international hat-trick last week against Luxembourg Belgium could be looking further than the second round.