Five potential Belgian talents to make Premier League waves

Directness, a nose for goal, pace and pressing are all attributes that would suit the English game well, and if he is adjudged to have the potential to make the step-up, it won’t be long before somebody comes sniffing. Take a peek for yourself, as the youngster seeks his fourth cap against the Italians.

Youri Tielemans (Anderlecht)

Anderlecht look to have reared a rare gem, here, though the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United will have a real tussle on their hands to lure Tielemans away from the apparent advances of Barcelona. Attacker and Belgium cap Dennis Praet is another to look out for from this academy.

Dries Mertens (Napoli)

It would be intriguing to see the adaptable attacking midfielder test himself at the top level, and his prolific goal hauls from the flanks in both Serie A and the Eredivisie would make him a White Hart Lane hero, if he could transfer that potency to a Tottenham team in need of a little more x-factor out wide.

Axel Witsel (Zenit St Petersburg)

As the fashion has moved toward deep-lying playmakers rather than tenacious tacklers at the highest level, Witsel may have found his tough tendencies do not register on rarefied club palates.

Yet, the Belgian anchorman is actually no mug when it comes to distribution, and could prove a dangerous deep outlet with bite to suit a team such as Arsenal. Either way, it appears time for the central midfield marshal to move on from Zenit and enforce in England or elsewhere.

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Read more on Belgium and their talented squad in our archive.