Former Belgian national team coach and striker Marc Wilmots believes that Belgium cannot afford to leave Inter striker Romelu Lukaku out of their squad for the World Cup.
Speaking to Belgian news outlet HLN, via FCInter1908, the coach argued that the Nerazzurri striker has no real replacement in the Red Devils’ squad, and so that leaving him out would simply be untenable.
Lukaku will not be fit for at least the first couple of group stage matches that Belgium face at the World Cup, but this does not mean that he has been left out of the squad.
The feeling is that, even if the 29-year-old can only be fit for the latter stages of the tournament, he must be included.
This is in contrast to the fact that many big-name players have dropped out because of injury already.
However, as Wilmots explained, Belgium’s situation is different from that of other national teams.
He compared the situation to that of France, who are without Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema due to injury, stating that “They’re different situations.”
“To begin with, France still have Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud, Dembele, and Coman in attack.”
“They won it all without Benzema four years ago.”
“We don’t have that luxury,” Wilmots continued. “With Lukaku, we don’t have anyone else like that so we have to take the risk.”
The coach then noted that “He’s in good hands, namely working with Lieven Maesschalck [Belgium’s team physiotherapist].”
“Lieven was also the physiotherapist who worked with me in 2002.”