Fellaini enjoying the sweet life in England

Marouane Fellaini is convinced that playing in England has added a new dimension to his game as he looks to help Belgium take a step towards the FIFA World Cup finals with two wins against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Sumptuous afro
The 21-year-old midfielder is at the vanguard of the next generation of Belgian talent, along with Steven Defour, Axel Witsel, Eden Hazard, Moussa Dembélé and Vincent Kompany. Indeed, his form since his move last August from R. Standard de Liège to Everton FC has often proved as eye-catching as his trademark hairstyle – perhaps the most sumptuous afro in European football.

Non-stop action
"In England the standard is very high," he said. "From the first minute until the final whistle the game is played at breakneck speed. I have to do my best to reach that level in every match. In the last six months I have improved. Playing in England is an advantage when it comes to international games. The standard of international football is no higher than it is in England, whereas it is a big step up from playing in Belgium."

Double-headers
Fellaini and company are third in World Cup qualifying Group 5, a point adrift of Turkey and five behind Spain. Yet with the top two meeting twice in the coming days, Belgium's double-header against fourth-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina – in Genk on Saturday and then Zenica on 1 April – is a massive opportunity to make up ground. "If we want to qualify for the World Cup we have to win twice," said Fellaini, who has scored twice in 14 internationals. "It's going to be a battle, that's for sure."

Star status
His new star status, however, is not making matters harder for the gangly box-to-box player, whose father kept goal for Raja Casablanca and Hassania Agadir in his native Morocco before deciding to become a bus driver in Belgium after a transfer to KV Mechelen fell through. "I feel no pressure," he said. "I don't care about the critics. I will just do all I can to bring us the six points against Bosnia-Herzegovina."