Belgium identify De Bruyne, Lukaku, Hazard in 26-man UEFA Euro 2020 squad

Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard had been known as up Monday to the Belgium squad for the European Championship alongside the same old stalwarts of the nation’s “Golden Generation.”
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez named Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel in his listing of 26 gamers for the continental event. Martinez additionally chosen a gaggle of 11 reserve gamers who might step up in case of accidents forward of the event, which opens on June 11.
“There are still some games to be played at domestic level, in terms of possible injuries and possible changes, especially in these uncertain times,” Martinez mentioned. “We have got 11 players that will be serving us as stand-by players.”
Teams have been allowed to pick out 26-player squads as an alternative of the same old 23 to assist them cope amid the coronavirus pandemic. The ultimate 26-man squads should be submitted by June 1.
Belgium will play in Group B, opening in opposition to Russia on June 12. The top-ranked Belgians will then face Denmark and Finland.
Doku, an 18-year-old ahead, was rewarded for his stable performances with French membership Rennes this season. His velocity and approach make him a wonderful candidate for a super-sub position inside a squad filled with attacking riches.
Trossard may very well be an sufficient alternative for Hazard, who has been struggling for type. The diminutive Brighton ahead is similar with the Real Madrid striker, with wonderful dribbling expertise, good imaginative and prescient and a way for objective. The 26-year-old Trossard scored a pair of objectives in March in World Cup qualifying and has been constant together with his Premier League membership just lately.
Witsel has but to return from a critical Achilles damage he sustained in January however Martinez mentioned he has acquired some excellent news about his rehabilitation.
“In the situation of Axel, we need to be very clear we don’t expect anything,” Martinez mentioned. “This is just a reward for what he has done for the national team, and his career, and the good work he has done in the last months. The real decision with Axel Witsel will be on the 11th of June.”
Martinez mentioned Witsel wants some extra time to be prepared however insisted he feels “very confident that he could have a big role” throughout the event.
The solely massive identify lacking was Marouane Fellaini, however his absence was not a shock for the reason that former Manchester United defender now taking part in in China has not featured for Belgium since 2018.
BELGIUM SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Matz Sels (Strasbourg)
Defenders: Jan Vertonghen (Benfica), Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Thomas Vermaelen (Vissel Kobe), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Jason Denayer (Lyon)
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Leander Dendoncker (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Dennis Praet (Leicester), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Castagne (Leicester), Nacer Chadli (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Forwards: Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Michy Batshuayi (Crystal Palace), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Leandro Trossard (Brighton)