WHEN it comes to identifying the best Premier League talent on display at the World Cup, it is probably best to look beyond the England team. Indeed, it could be argued that in terms of Premier League-based players, England are not even the best team in their group.
Belgium deserve that accolade, hence why Roberto Martinez’s side are deserved favourites to top Group G. From Thibaut Courtois in goal, through Jan Vertonghen and Vincent Kompany in defence, to Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard in midfield and on to Romelu Lukaku in attack, Belgium boast a formidable spine that will be recognisable to anyone with a passing knowledge of the Premier League.
The rest of the team isn’t bad either, with the likes of Axel Witsel and Dries Mertens supplementing Belgium’s English-based talent. Having cruised through qualifying, Belgium have been widely touted as potential world champions. The ability is there in terms of the starting XI, but a lack of defensive depth is an issue given Kompany’s injury record and questions were raised over mentality when Belgium collapsed against Wales at the last Euros. If they have learned from that experience, they could go a long way.
They should start with a win when they face Panama on Monday afternoon, with the Central American side arguably the weakest in the whole of the World Cup.
Just participating in the tournament is a major achievement for a nation that will be making its World Cup debut, although with three members of the anticipated starting line-up over the age of 35, at least Panama will not lack experience.
They will still do well to claim a point, although Tunisia should offer more of a threat, and England cannot afford to take the African side lightly.
Having been deprived of their star forward, Youssef Msakni, after he tore his cruciate ligaments, Tunisia are likely to adopt a defensive approach when they face both England and Belgium.
Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri will lead the line in Msakni’s absence, but Tunisia’s five-man defence is likely to be their best chance of springing a surprise.
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