And what if Tedesco were to make a selection with only players from the Pro League? This is what the Red Devils would look like if they were “made in JPL” – Football News

It is a custom on some continents, more so than in Europe: national teams are occasionally put together with a selection of players who (almost) only play in their own country. Marcelo Bielsa, for example, will soon lead a Uruguayan squad made up entirely of players who play in the domestic league.

If Domenico Tedesco one day decide to only call up players from the Pro League for friendlies or Nations League matches? Then these are our 26 Red Devils from the Jupiler Pro League:

Goalkeepers

Since Simon Mignolet has repeatedly confirmed his permanent retirement, we would not call him up. But two other choices are obvious: Maarten Vandevoordtthe number 1 of the promises that many have wanted to see in the A-team for a long time, and Arnaud Bodartthe usual number 4 of the Red Devils.

Furthermore, we opt for a great talent that has emerged again this season, Nordin Jackers. He could be called up. Finally – since Tedesco always selects 4 goalkeepers – we choose Tobe Leysena promising young talent from OH Leuven.

Defenders

Here too, some choices are easy, because they are heading to the 2024 European Championship anyway. This applies to the Anderlecht duo, Jan Vertonghen – Zeno Debast. Toby Alderweireld has, unlike Mignolet, always left the door open in case of emergency: in such a context his return would make sense.

The current form of Brandon Mechele, a three-time international, makes him a logical choice, just like his teammate Spileers. A fifth choice to complete the group to 26 players would be the young Matt Smets are impressive at STVV.

There is choice on the flanks in terms of young talent. Killian Sardella, Maxim De Cuyper, Hugo Siquet and Kyriani Sabbe would be our choices as backs, although only De Cuyper would be a true left back – a difficult problem to solve.

Midfield

Mandela Keita is currently injured, but would be an indispensable player given his already confirmed status as a Red Devil. Hans Vanaken would of course be a mainstay of a squad that comes 100% from the Pro League, and it would finally be time to give their first cap to Bryan Heynen and Julien De Sart.

Theo Leoni also seems to deserve a call-up letter – some even mentioned him in the possible selection of the Red Devils in March this year. Matazo, Vanhoutte or Delorge could be options. Noah Sadiki has chosen Congo. We choose the versatility of Alessio Castro Monteswho can play as a back, on the wing or in the reinforced midfield.

Wingers

On the wings, the options are unfortunately quite limited as the top players often leave the Pro League quickly – Malick Fofana would of course have been part of this squad six months ago. Michel-Ange Balikwishawho has had an excellent season and has not yet officially chosen Congo like his brother, is a sure choice.

Mario Stroeykens, also versatile, would be valuable, and of course we would have called up Thorgan Hazard if he had not been injured. Verschaeren has not shown enough since his return to qualify for this selection. So we have to dig and Jarne Steuckers calls, excelling at STVV, but also Kazeem Olaigbe: both are U21 internationals and therefore have a connection with the A-team.

Centre-forwards

The Pro League doesn’t really produce many Belgian strikers, so the choice would quickly be limited. The good form of Lucas Stassin could earn him a first selection. One of the big surprises could come from the young one Matias Fernandez-Pardo19 years old and sensation in the Europe Play-off with Ghent… or van Adriano Bertaccinitop scorer of the Challenger Pro League at the time of his transfer to Sint-Truiden.

The selection:

Vandevoordt – Bodart – Jackers – Leysen / Debast – Vertonghen – Alderweireld – Mechele – Smets – Siquet – Sardella – De Cuyper – Sabbe / Keita – Vanaken – De Sart – Leoni – Castro Montes – Heynen / Balikwisha – Steuckers – Stroeykens – Olaigbe – Stassin – Fernandez Pardo – Bertaccini