THE pressure has been amped up on Belgium manager Roberto Martinez weeks before a ball is even kicked at this summer’s World Cup.
Not just because of the expectation surrounding the Red Devils, but due to leaving popular Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan out of his initial 28-man squad.
Leander Dendoncker was included in Belgium’s squad for the World Cup
Nainggolan was unlikely to be picked having played just 96 minutes in qualification while his smoking habit and bad-boy persona has never sat well with Martinez.
However, another possible reason “Il Ninja” has been forced into premature international retirement is the faith Belgium’s Spanish manager has placed in Leander Dendoncker.
In fact, Dendoncker is one of only two home-based players selected by Martinez.
Ahead of the World Cup, our friends at Football Whispers have taken a look at the Anderlecht midfielder’s career and where he might fit in for the fancied Belgians.
Leander Dendoncker’s inclusion meant Radja Nainggolan missed outAFP
Like Nainggolan, Dendoncker is a central midfielder who does the dirty work defensively however, unlike the Roma star, the 23-year-old’s strength lies in his versatility.
Standing at 6ft 2ins, he has spent a significant proportion of his career as a centre-back and that flexibility could help him to make the cut for the final 23.
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Like so many of this Belgium squad, Dendoncker has worked his way up through the different national-team age group after first being capped by the under-15s in 2010.
Leander Dendoncker was something of a surprise inclusion by Roberto MartinezAP:Associated Press
He has, however, been more of a slow-burner in terms of his development.
Unlike former Anderlecht team-mate Youri Tielemens, now at Monaco, who was earmarked as a future star when he was barely 16, Dendoncker has enjoyed a more restrained rise.
That fits in with his style of play and the modest but integral role he performs in the starting XI.
After making his Anderlecht debut at 19, in 2013, has become a figurehead of the club, especially after Tielemens left for the south of France last summer.
A league champion in 2017 he rose to prominence, quite literally, that year when leaping above Matteo Darmian to score against Man United in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Marc Wilmots handed him his first full cap in 2015 when he emerged as a late substitute in a 4-3 friendly triumph over France.
But, mainly because of Belgium’s strength in depth, has found opportunities tough.
Leander Dendoncker has been in superb form for Anderlecht recentlyPA:Empics Sport
Dendoncker has been called up to 15 different squads under Wilmots and his successor Martinez but has made just three further appearances.
With a grand total of 151 minutes at international level it does raise further questions of Martinez’s unwavering belief.
His height and broad shoulders ensure he has a visual presence in midfield and when he’s good, he is the archetypical dominating defensive midfielder.
It’s an inevitable observation but it does lend him to the English game and it’s no surprise that Crystal Palace, West Ham and Watford have scouted him extensively ahead of a possible approach this summer with Anderlecht valuing him at around £15million.
In terms of standout attributes, he is a good reader of the game who breaks up opposition attacks either through intercepting possession or by the trademark recovery tackles he makes around the penalty areas.
He is also, unsurprisingly, good in the air.
Leander Dendoncker is one of just two stars in the Belgium squad playing in their home countryKenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow
Often receiving the ball in tight spaces, Dendoncker possesses an excellent first touch and appreciation of space in terms of knowing when to pass and when to keep hold of the ball.
He is growing into his role as a deep-lying passer and although often keeps it simple with short, unfussy passes, is also increasingly capable of going long or switching the play.
Despite his size, his has fine balance and technique, enabling him to beat players with a drop of the shoulder or turn.
Although primarily a holding player he has developed a growing willingness to travel further forward and support the more offensive-minded individuals although he lacks the explosiveness of, say, a Nainggolan or Mousa Dembele.
Of course, this has all been performed while in the white and navy blue of Anderlecht and it remains to be seen if he can truly cross over these talents on the international stage.
What is concerning is that, if he makes the final 23, he’ll be entering the tournament with some concern over his individual form.
Leander Dendoncker will find it tough to break into Belgium’s starting XIAFP
Dendoncker hasn’t been particularly bad, he’s just been okay. Which, given how excited everyone was about him during the 2016/17 season, is something of a disappointment.
His development hasn’t quite happened at the desired or expected rate and if he can’t stand out in Belgium then how can make a significant impact at a World Cup?
Except that’s missing the point. One of Belgium’s major problem under Wilmots at World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016 was his inability to have them playing as a team and instead relying on at least one of their individual stars to produce.
That still exists to an extent under Martinez, but he has tried to foster more of a collective attitude and willingness to play within a team framework.
Not everyone can be the star, especially in a squad loaded with them. And as Martinez claimed, that’s the main reason why Nainggolan didn’t make it.
It could also be why the understated Dendoncker has his manager’s attention.
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