Belgium – Thomas Vermaelen

VERMAELEN: NATIONAL TEAM CAREER IN FOCUS

Belgian star Thomas Vermaelen had an attacking return of two goals in 85 appearances for his country’s senior team before he called time on his national team career. He spent 15 years with the Belgium senior team until his retirement was confirmed last year.

Thomas Vermaelen played for Belgium at the u-19 and u-21 levels before being handed his senior team debut at the start of 2006. He played his first game for the Belgium senior team against Luxembourg at the age of 20. The game between Belgium and Luxembourg in March 2006. Vermaelen spent almost three years with the senior team before being named the captain. He was made the skipper for the Belgium senior team officially on October 8, 2009. Thomas Vermaelen became the Belgium senior team captain just before the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Estonia. Continue reading

Is Vermaelen Still Capable of Holding Down a Spot in the National Team?

Thomas Vermaelen is an indisputable legend of the Belgium national team, putting in 58 appearances for the side since 2006. His versatility in the back four and ability to play as a centre-back or a full-back has always worked in his favour, but after a couple of disappointing seasons since leaving Arsenal, could the 31-year-old soon find his position in the Red Devils’ defence in jeopardy?

Since moving to Barcelona from North London at the end of the 2013-14 season, Vermaelen has struggled to recapture the imperious form he displayed during his tenure of 110 top flight games at the Emirates. As such, the European powerhouses sent the Belgian to Roma on loan for the 2016-17 campaign, deeming him surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp. Continue reading

MARTINEZ LOSES HIS FIRST GAME

Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez started his run on a poor note as Spain crushed Belgium 2-0. Sacked coach Marc Wilmots might not be too sad about the end of the game after he sacked when he supervised of one the most talented team on the planet, yet they lost out in the Euro 2016 woefully. Spain was on a poor run at the tournament, but the changes they have made started yielding fruits.

Despite the phasing out of former starts Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso, and former play maker Xavi Hernandez, Spain seem not to be lacking real talents as the changes to the squad rose up to the occasion as they thrashed a Belgian side coached by Roberto Martinez and Thierry Henry. Continue reading