Qatar 2022 will represent the last chance for the Belgian Golden Generation to claim the first world cup title for their nation. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku will be well into their 30s by the time the next competition comes round so Belgium will be looking towards their wonderkids to provide the world cup glory that the nation has been seeking for so long.
But who will be taking over from the world class talents of De Bruyne and co? Here we look at ten wonderkids set to storm the international stage in years to come and rank them in order of their potential talents on FIFA 22.
Best Belgian Wonderkids in FIFA 22
10. Yari Verschaeren (RSC Anderlecht: CAM, RM, CM)
We start with 20 year old playmaker Yari Verschaeren, who when given a simple internet search is touted by someone as “The New Eden Hazard”. No pressure then.
As with many young Belgian talents, Verschaeren is on the books of giants RSC Anderlecht but is already being closely followed by Italian Goliaths AC Milan. His high/high work rates, 89 agility and 85 balance are notable highlights already for a player tipped to reach a rating of 83 overall.
9. Luca Oyen (KRC Genk: LW)
Another wide player already, Luca Oyen is the latest in the Hazard mould with the 18 year old predicted to reach the same overall rating as Verschaeren at 83.
Oyen is yet to break through at his club KRC Genk with only four appearances but is highly rated and already has solid stats on FIFA 22 in balance (81), agility (77), sprint speed (74) and dribbling (72) and already possesses the flair trait. That’s right, similar strengths to Hazard!
8. Pierre Dwomoh (Royal Antwerp: CM, CAM)
Where the other two have followed the Hazard blueprint, it appears Pierre Dwomoh has spent more time watching the likes of Kevin De Bruyne.
Dwomoh will occupy the central areas much more but still possesses the agility (75) and sprint speed (74) to glide past players in the middle of the park. He too has the technical dribbler and flair traits and is another creative influence with his best position being at CAM. There’s a long way to go for the 17 year old but is also expected to reach the rating of 83 at his best.
7. Amadou Onana (LOSC Lille: CDM)
The first defensive player, while others take inspiration from the flair players, Amadou Onana looks to be an admirer of Axel Witsel. While the aforementioned Oyen and Verschaeren will take players on and create those openings, Onana will do the dirty work and clearly loves a tackle, judging by his “dives into tackles” trait.
His strength (79) and stamina (73) are crucial in him becoming a top CDM but he is good on the ball too thanks to his short passing (74) and technical dribbling trait.
6. Maarten Vandevoort (KRC Genk: GK)
A goalkeeper! Maarten Vandevoort has nailed down the number one spot at KRC Genk at the tender age of 19 and it looks to be almost certain that he will be the long term successor for Thibaut Courtois.
His diving (73), handling (70) and reflexes (73) are all already solid and it’s expected that Vandervoort will reach a potential of 84 overall.
5. Hugo Siquet (Standard de Liege: RB, RWB)
Hugo Siquet is the first defender in our countdown but is equally good (if not, better) in the attacking half of the pitch as he is in the defensive half.
His tackling stats of 67 for standing tackle and 65 for sliding tackle make him solid enough defensively but it’s his attacking stats which are the highlight. His sprint speed and acceleration should see him flying forward to join attacks while his crossing (80) should provide plenty of quality end product for the strikers to feed on.
He looks to be in the same mould as English full back prodigy Tariq Lamptey and should also reach the same overall rating of 84.
4. Romeo Lavia (Manchester City: CDM)
When a young star has already been poached by Manchester City at the age of 17, you know they’re going to be good.
Although his current stats and overall rating of 62 make Romeo Lavia barely usable in game at the very start, he is set to reach an overall of 85. This would put him up there with the very best central defensive midfielders in the game, similar to City team mate Rodri (86), Liverpool’s Fabinho (86) and Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi (85).
3. Aster Vranckx (VFL Wolfsburg: CM)
Next up is Aster Vranckx who is the definition of raw talent on FIFA 22. At the age of 19, the Wolfsburg man has a current rating of 67 but the potential to make it all the way up to 85, ranking him all the way up there with the best central midfielders on the game (the same as Ilkay Gundogan and Jorginho).
Vracnkx’s best attributes are currently his aggression (74), his strength (73) and his stamina (72) meaning all signs point to him becoming a top level box-to-box midfielder. He is currently value at £2.6 million but the sky is the limit for the all action midfielder.
2. Charles De Ketelaere (Club Brugge: CAM, ST)
You may already have heard of Charles De Ketelaere having been highlighted as Club Brugge’s dangerman in the build up to the club’s Champions League fixtures against Manchester City this season. At the age of 20, De Ketelaere is already (predictably) being touted as the heir to De Bruyne’s throne and plenty of European giants have already sat up and taken notice.
On FIFA 22, he’s all set to become a star too with his current rating of 76 set to rise to 86 at his best, putting him up there with Bernardo Silva and five ratings off his idol De Bruyne. He’s got it all with four star skill moves and four star weak foot backed up by a wide range of impressive stats above 70, the highlights being his ball control (82) and his stamina (83). He also has the dribbling, short passing and strength needed to become a top CAM.
If anyone is going to take over KDB’s role in dragging Belgium towards a much sought after major title in the future, it’s going to be De Ketelaere.
1. Jeremy Doku (Stade Rennais: RW, RM)
In top spot is one of Europe’s top prospects as Jeremy Doku has already burst on to the global scene when appearing for the national team at Euro 2020. It appears that the question of Eden Hazard’s successor has already been answered as it was Doku who was picked to fill his spot when injured for the quarter final match against Italy over the summer.
In FIFA 22 he is already a terrifying winger to face, due to his incredible speed. His sprint speed (90) and acceleration (94) will ensure he leaves almost any full back in the dust while his agility (95), dribbling (86) and supreme balance (88) make him every defender’s worst nightmare.
Doku is already a star in game but his current rating of 77 can potentially rise all the way up to 87, putting him up there with Angel Di Maria (87) and above Riyad Mahrez (86). Get this speedster in your team while you can still afford him!
