Two years on from finishing third at the 2018 World Cup, Belgium’s golden generation are slowly winding down. Vincent Kompany has already retired, Jan Vertonghen won’t be too far behind him and superstars Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne both turn 30 next year, meaning they’ve not got long left either. Replacements, then, need to be found. And luckily Belgium’s ability to produce world class talent shows no sign of slowing down with a fresh talented crop of youngsters coming through the ranks. Below we discuss the 10 best young Belgian players in FIFA 21 career mode:
Looking for the best young Belgian players in FIFA 22? Check them out here.
Best Belgian Wonderkids in FIFA 21
10. Killian Sardella (R.S.C. Anderlecht: RB, LB)
A product of the R.S.C. Anderlecht academy, Killian Sardella fits the mould of your classic modern-day full-back; comfortable on the ball, dynamic and good going forward. Rated 66 overall with an 83 potential Sardella is one for the future and worth every penny of his €4.5 million release clause.
Defensively he needs to improve with 55 defensive ability, 65 sliding tackle and 45 positioning. But on the ball, the 18-year-old is tidy and efficient with 74 ball control, 72 dribbling and 72 short passing.
9. Nicolas Raskin (Standard de Liege: CM, CDM)
Operating in the heart of midfielder Nicolas Raskin is best suited to a deep-lying playmaker role where he can utilise his exceptional passing ability. The 19-year-old is rated 70 overall and with a potential of 83, has 73 short passing, 74 long passing and 72 vision attributes, meaning he has all the tools to unlock the toughest of defences.
Having started his career at Standard Liege as a teenager, Raskin had brief spells at Anderlecht and Gent before returning to his boyhood club where he’s made 9 appearances so far this season.
8. Albert-Mboyo Sambi Lokonga (R.S.C. Anderlecht: CM, CDM)
Another talented central midfielder, Albert-Mboyo Sambi Lokonga possesses a similar style of play to Raskin. And, coincidentally, both have a potential rating of 83. That said, the Anderlecht youngster is much further on in his development with a current overall rating of 72.
With 76 short passing and 74 long passing Lokonga is a talented ball player. He’s a nifty dribbler too with 75 dribbling. At 6’0” tall, though, he’s not the quickest – 65 sprint speed and 68 acceleration – but when you’ve got the ball on a string with 78 ball control, you don’t need pace.
7. Marco Kana (R.S.C. Anderlecht: CDM, CB, CM)
Aged just 17, Marco Kana has already made 20 appearances for Anderlecht, and he’s expected to make plenty more. A combative defensive midfielder, Kana has the skill set to play the classic Makelele role, breaking up play and snuffing out any danger with 66 standing tackle and 63 interceptions.
The 5’11” wonderkid is currently rated 66 overall, so there’s plenty of room for improvement, but he does have 84 potential. This makes his €4.3 million FIFA 21 release clause ridiculously good value.
6. Aster Vranckx (K.V. Mechelen: CM CDM)
17-year-old Aster Vranckx of K.V. Mechelen is far from the finished article, but with 71 ball control, 71 short passing and 72 aggression he has all the makings to become a top-level central midfielder. Currently rated 66 Vranckx is predicted to reach a rating of 84 in FIFA 21 and has a release clause of just €4.5 million.
Although, still only a teenager Vranckx is physically sound with 72 stamina, 71 sprint speed and 72 aggression.
5. Zinho Vanheusden (Standard de Liege: CB)
Standing 6’2” tall 20-year-old Zinho Vanheusden is a dominant centre back with 72 heading accuracy, 74 strength and 76 sliding tackles. Rated 73 overall and with a potential of 84, the Standard Liege defender is expected to eventually take over from Toby Alderweireld when the Spurs defender decides to call time on his international career. While defensively sound, Vanheusden lacks pace with 60 sprint speed and 58 acceleration. Other than that, though, he has all the makings to become a top European centre back.
4. Yari Verschaeren (RSC Anderlecht: CAM, RW, LW)
The versatile Yari Verschaeren can play on either wing but is most effective playing centrally as an attacking midfielder or false number nine. With 89 agility and 85 balance, the Anderlecht teenager has a low centre of gravity. Combine that with 79 ball control and 77 dribbling and you’ve got yourself a player who’s excellent on the ball and an absolute nightmare to defend against one v one.
Still only 18, Verschaeren has six international caps to his name, and with a potential rating of 85, the kid is worth every bit of his €11.7 million release clause in FIFA 21 career mode.
3. Charles De Ketelaere (Club Brugge: LW, CF, CAM)
You’d be forgiven for thinking 6’4” tall Charles De Ketelaere is your typical target man. But the truth is he’s anything but a lump up top. The kid’s special. Currently rated 72 overall and with a potential of 85 in FIFA 21, the Club Brugge academy graduate has, pardon the cliche, good feet for a big man with 75 dribbling and 79 ball control. He has end product too. Operating on the left-wing Ketelaere has 72 crossing and 67 finishing and he’s also capable of playing as a CF or attacking midfielder.
Ketelaere is a unique player and offers something entirely different from your typical, pacy wingers. And €11.1 million he’s worth the investment.
2. Maarten Vandevoordt (Genk: GK)
Belgium’s number 1, Thibaut Courtois, will have some serious competition on his hands if 18-year-old Maarten Vandevoordt reaches his 86 potential. At 6’2” the Genk teenager has the perfect build and skill-set to become a world class goalkeeper. With 72 diving and 71 reflexes he’s already an excellent shot-stopper, however, his distribution – 64 kicking – and positioning both need improving.
1. Jérémy Doku (Stade Rennais: RW, LW)
Likened to Eden Hazard, 18-year-old Jérémy Doku is a player with bags of pace and potential. He’s lightning quick with 91 sprint speed and 96 acceleration and has the ability to beat a man with 80 dribbling. Naturally right-footed, Doku can plan on either flank and is currently rated 71 with a potential of 88.
Already capped at senior level for Belgium, the Anderlecht academy graduate is now plying his trade in Ligue 1 with Stade Rennais. And with a release clause of just €12.1 million in FIFA 21 this kid is an absolute bargain. Snap him up on career mode. You won’t regret it.
With an abundance of central midfielders, a solid shot-stopper, options at the back and a potential world class star in Jérémy Doku, Belgium have a solid crop of youngsters to nurture and develop over the coming years. Many of which can be picked up relatively cheap in FIFA 21 career mode.
