Due to the relegation of Leicester City last weekend, the group of declining Devils has increased to six pieces this season. Should national coach Domenico Tedesco be concerned? “Without Belgium’s good matches against Germany and Sweden, we would have sounded the alarm bells now.”
Transfer for Lukebakio and Lavia?
While Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are still on course for European glory in the Champions League, many compatriots have also been in turbulent waters in recent weeks.
For Dodi Lukebakio – after great performances against Sweden and Germany, one of the exponents of the new wind in the national team – and his club Hertha Berlin already fell the curtain in the Bundesliga last weekend.
Lukebakio nevertheless had an excellent season at Hertha, was good for 11 goals and 3 assists, but therefore drops to second class. The attacker is at the end of his contract after this season, so there is a good chance that he will look for other places.
Also to the story of Romeo Lavia and Southampton there was no happy ending. Lavia came over from Manchester City last summer and was about the only bright spot at The Saints this season, who finish last in the Premier League.
An adventure in The Championship does not normally seem possible for 19-year-old Lavia: the top clubs are queuing up for the stylish midfielder. Ex-club Man.City also has a buyback clause of around 40 million euros, but it can only be activated in 2024.
Lukebakio shone for the time being under national coach Tedesco.
Belgian enclave near Leicester
Leicester City was also unable to save its skin in England. The Foxes became national champions in 2016, but are now back to second division after nine seasons. An uppercut for the four Devils on loan at Leicester.
Youri Tielemans went down as captain with Leicester this season. The midfielder did not reach his usual level and also received some criticism. “The reputational damage is the greatest for Tielemans,” Leicester watcher Jordan Blackwell recently said on this website.
Tielemans is out of contract in Leicester and seems ready for a new challenge. It therefore seems certain that he will continue to play at the highest level. Clubs mentioned: Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and AS Roma.
The uncertainty is even greater for the three other Leicester Belgians. Wout Faes came over from Reims for 17 million euros last summer and quickly grew into a titular holder. Leicester previously announced that they wanted to keep him.
Timothy Castagne in turn, is sought after on the transfer market and does not seem keen on staying in second division. There would be interest from Spain and Italy. Dennis Praet was a rotation player for The Foxes this season, he could also leave.
At the age of 26, Tielemans looks ready for a new challenge.
“A blot on the coat of arms”
“And yet we have the feeling that everything will be fine with the Red Devils”, Filip Joos touched on the theme in the podcast 90 minutes. “But a handful of players are relegated who are not insignificant in your team …”
“Guys like Lukebakio and Lavia will be picked up,” adds Sam Kerkhofs. “They will just play at the highest level next season.”
“But they have been demoted. That is a stain on your reputation,” says Joos. “After the bad World Cup in Qatar, there are now so many players who are relegated. Without those good games against Germany and Sweden, we would have sounded the alarm bells and said that this is the downturn.”
“But we will all think that we will become European champions next year. Just because of those two games in the spring and because of the turnaround under Tedesco,” concludes Joos.
2023-05-29 12:57:00
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