How do Belgium replace Vincent Kompany?
Monday, May 9, 2016
Article summary
Vincent Kompany will miss UEFA EURO 2016 with a thigh injury, meaning Belgium must find a new centre-back and captain. UEFA.com's Berend Scholten considers their options.
Article top media content
Article body
On Saturday evening the news came that many had feared. It was Vincent Kompany himself who revealed it.
"I will miss the European Championship. That is very sad," wrote the Belgium captain on Facebook. He will be out for around four months with a torn thigh muscle sustained during Manchester City's UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid.
Sad news for Kompany, certainly, but also a huge blow for coach Marc Wilmots, who has been shorn of the team's leader. It is the latest in a long line of injuries for Kompany, a general on the pitch and a master of bringing the ball out of defence.
"I trust that my friends and team-mates will do well in France," continued the centre-back. "From now on I will be their most loyal supporter, and I will be there to support them."
If Kompany's recovery programme will indeed allow him to be there – and whether Wilmots may still want him to be part of the camp – remains to be seen. Firstly, though, the coach has two more pressing questions to answer.
1) Who will replace him in defence?
The left-footed Nicolas Lombaerts will likely be one of the centre-backs but who slots in alongside him? Jason Denayer, 20, has done well when replacing Kompany previously but lacks experience for such a pivotal position.
Toby Alderweireld – splendid for Tottenham this season – would be the obvious replacement, but that would leave a vacancy at right-back. Denayer could play there, while Thomas Meunier and Guillaume Gillet are also options. More questions than answers, then.
2) Who will be captain?
Eden Hazard, the team's vice-captain who has previously taken the armband when Kompany has been substituted, is the logical choice. Jan Vertonghen, though, has skippered his country seven times and arguably has more leadership pedigree. Thomas Vermaelen, meanwhile, was captain before Kompany assumed the role but has had a dearth of club football in recent seasons.
Wilmots may reveal his hand when he announces his squad for the tournament this Friday.