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With just ten days left for the start of UEFA Euro 2020, football fans are gearing up for one of the most anticipated competitions in world sports this summer.
Belgium will once again head into a major tournament as one of the favorites.
Belgium finished third in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and have once again assembled a very strong squad capable of going all the way in the Euros. Roberto Martinez's squad is littered with some of the world's best footballers, including Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard.
Belgium have been heavily tipped to qualify at the top of a group containing Denmark, Finland and Russia. The Euros are, however, known for throwing up a number of surprise results and upsets.
Roberto Martinez will therefore use the next ten days to assess his squad and pick the strongest starting XI ahead of their opening fixture against Russia on June 13. The former Everton boss has preferred to play a 3-5-2 formation during his time as manager of Belgium.
On that note, let's take a look at the strongest possible starting XI for Belgium at UEFA Euro 2020.
#11 Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
The Real Madrid shot-stopper has amassed over 80 international caps for Belgium since making his debut for his country in 2011. Courtois has represented Belgium at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Courtois won the Golden Glove award at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The 29-year-old endured a difficult debut campaign at Real Madrid in 2018-19, but was arguably the club's best player the very next season as they won La Liga. Thibaut Courtois has been Belgium's undisputed No.1 for the last decade and is certain to keep his place in the starting line-up at Euro 2020.
# 10 Right centre-back: Jason Denayer (Lyon)
A product of Manchester City's youth system, Jason Denayer spent much of his career on loan at various clubs before joining French side Lyon in 2018. The 25-year-old has become a key member of Lyon's squad in his three seasons with the club, and played a vital role in their run to the Champions League semi-finals last season.
Jason Denayer is unlikely to start for Belgium should Roberto Martinez decide to play a back four, but will slot into right centre-back if the Spanish manager sticks to a 3-5-2 formation.
#9 Centre-back Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur)
Despite enduring a disappointing campaign with Tottenham Hotspur last season, Toby Alderweireld has been a stalwart in the center of defense for Belgium since making his debut for the country in 2009.
Toby Alderweireld has developed into one of the best defenders of his generation since joining Tottenham from Atletico Madrid in 2015. He led Tottenham to three consecutive top-four finishes in the Premier League and the Champions League final in 2019.
Alderweireld has made over 100 appearances for his country. The 32-year-old is likely to play in the middle of a back three at Euro 2020.
#8 Left centre-back Jan Vertonghen (Benfica)
Jan Vertonghen is another defender who has been a permanent fixture in Belgium's squad since making his debut for the national team in 2007.
Prior to his move to Benfica last summer, Vertonghen spent eight successful seasons at Tottenham Hotspur, during which he amassed over 300 appearances for the club in all competitions. He was included in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2012-13 season and the 2017-18 season.
Vertonghen joined Benfica on a free transfer last summer after the expiry of his contract with Tottenham. The former Tottenham star often plays as a centre-back for his country, but is equally adept at playing at left-back. His versatility and experience will be crucial for Roberto Martinez's squad.
#7 Right wing-back Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid)
Yannick Carrasco was one of the most sought-after talents in world football during his first spell with Atletico Madrid. The 27-year-old caught the attention of a number of clubs with his performances for Belgium at Euro 2016 and at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Carrasco shocked football fans when he joined Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional in 2018. After two seasons with the Chinese club. Carrasco rejoined Atletico Madrid on loan for the second half of the 2019-20 campaign. His impressive performances earned him a permanent move to the Spanish giants last summer.
Carrasco enjoyed a successful season with Atletico Madrid. He made 30 appearances and scored six goals in a campaign which saw Diego Simeone's side win their first La Liga title in seven years.
Carrasco is usually deployed as a winger by Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid, but the 27-year-old's versatility enables him to play as a right wing-back for his country in a 3-5-2 formation. His pace, work-rate and dribbling ability will make him a threat going forward at the Euros.
#6 Defensive midfield- Axel Witsel
Axel Witsel plays in a more advanced midfield role for Borussia Dortmund but is often seen playing as a defensive midfielder for Belgium. The 32-year-old has made 110 appearances for his country and has been one of Belgium's most consistent performers since making his international debut in 2008.
Witsel joined Dortmund from Zenit St. Petersburg in 2018 and has been one of the standout midfielders in the Bundesliga during his first two seasons with the club. Witsel's 2020-21 campaign was ravaged by injuries, which has been a source of concern for Belgium coach Roberto Martinez.
Witsel's tackling and ability to win back possession will give the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Youri Tielemans the freedom to play up front rather than worry about their defensive responsibilities.
#5 Right midfield- Kevin de Bruyne ( Manchester City)
Kevin de Bruyne has developed into one of the best midfielders in the world since joining Manchester City in 2015. During his six seasons with Manchester City, he has helped the club win three Premier League titles, five EFL Cups and an FA Cup.
He has won the Manchester City Player of the Year award thrice, and won the PFA Player of the Year award for the 2019-20 campaign. De Bruyne has translated his club form to the international stage. The midfielder was instrumental in leading Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
At 29, De Bruyne is at the peak of his football prowess, and is expected to lead Belgium to the latter stages of Euro 2020. The Manchester City star could be Roberto Martinez's talisman this summer.
Belgium will, however be sweating over the fitness of Kevin de Bruyne after the injury he suffered against Chelsea in the final of the Champions League.
#4 Left midfield- Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Since making his debut for Belgium in 2016, Youri Tielemans has often been used as an impact substitute. The midfielder has developed into one of the most accomplished midfielders in the Premier League since joining Leicester City in 2019.
His outrageous long-range strike in the final of the FA Cup against Chelsea reaffirmed his ability to produce the goods on the biggest stage. The 24-year-old was awarded the Leicester City Player of the Season and Leicester City Player's Player of the Season award at the end of this campaign.
Tielemans is likely to start for Belgium alongside Kevin de Bruyne and Axel Witsel as a part of a three-man midfield at Euro 2020.
#3 Left wing-back: Timothy Castagne (Leicester City)
Castagne has been one of the standout full-backs in Europe since joining Atalanta in 2017.Widely regarded as one of the best signings of the transfer window last summer, Timmothy Castagne is the embodiment of the modern-day attacking full-back.
The Leicester City man is primarily a right-back but can also play at left-back, and is equally adept at playing as a wing-back on either side of the field. Castagne played a key role for Leicester City in their FA Cup triumph this season.
His impressive performances at the club level are likely to earn him a starting place for Belgium at Euro 2020.
#2 Right Forward: Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
Romelu Lukaku has become one of the most lethal strikers in Europe since joining Inter Milan from Manchester United in 2019. The former Chelsea youth product struggled to live up to expectations during his time at Old Trafford, but has developed into a formidable No.9 under the management of Antonio Conte at Inter Milan.
Lukaku has scored 64 goals in 95 appearances in all competitions during his time with the Italian giants. The former Manchester United star has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks following the departure of Antonio Conte from Inter Milan.
The striker is also Belgium's all-time leading goal scorer with 59 goals in 91 appearances for his country. The 28-year-old is set to play a starring role for Roberto Martinez's side once more at Euro 2020.
#1 Left Forward: Eden Hazard (Real Madrid)
The inclusion of Eden Hazard in Belgium's squad for Euro 2020 was a decision that shocked most fans and pundits. The former Chelsea winger has been in woeful form for Real Madrid since joining the club from Chelsea in 2019.
Eden Hazard was considered to be one of the top 5 footballers in the world during his time at Stamford Bridge. During his seven years with Chelsea, Hazard won the PFA Player of the Year award once, he was named Chelsea Player of the Year four times, and Belgium Player of the Year thrice.
Hazard has managed to score just five goals in 43 appearances for Real Madrid in two seasons with the club. His lack of gametime and match fitness could prove to be a massive concern for Roberto Martinez.
The 30-year-old is still one of his country's most talented footballers and captained the Belgium national team at Euro 2016 in the absence of Vincent Kompany. Belgian fans will be hoping that Hazard can turn up for his national side once more during Euro 2020.
