‘It will be special’ - Eric and Jan talk England-Belgium
Wed 27 June 2018, 14:43|
Tottenham Hotspur
It’s the one we’ve been waiting for – up to eight Spurs players could be involved when England take on Belgium in a Group G decider in the World Cup on Thursday.
Representing the Three Lions, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier while in the Red Devils’ corner, Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen.
The teams have identical records after matches against Panama and Tunisia – played two, won two, eight goals scored, two conceded. If the match ends in a draw, group winners will be decided via fair play (yellow cards) and then by drawing lots!
It’s a fascinating clash and both Eric and Jan, speaking to us before jetting off to Russia, were counting the days to this Spurs reunion in Kaliningrad (7pm UK).
“It was mixed feelings when we were drawn with Belgium because neither of us are going to want to lose as it will be a real nightmare for next season,” said Eric.
“I can’t think of anything worse than Jan beating England because he will never ever shut up about it! But to be honest, neither will we if we beat them!
🤔🤔🤔🤔 sure I recognise our next opponents from somewhere… #REDTOGETHER #ENGBEL pic.twitter.com/XMxke5QYcR
— Jan Vertonghen (@JanVertonghen) June 25, 2018
“It will be an exciting game and at the same time it will be nice to play against the Belgium boys. I think it will be a really good game between two really good teams.
"Belgium have a lot of fantastic players – some we know very well – and it will be exciting to test ourselves against them.”
Jan is also eager to pit his wits against his Spurs colleagues. “It will be special,” said Jan, who now has 104 caps for Belgium.
“I think about the line-up before the match and standing side-by-side with guys who I have played 200 games with at Spurs.
“These are players I see every day and facing them will be something special. I hope all the England players at Spurs play as that would be something special.”
There is one particular duel that Jan is relishing – a battle with team-mate and current five-goal World Cup top scorer Harry. “It might be me against Harry – that would be special,” he added. “I play him quite often in training so it would be a good battle.”
Speaking before the tournament, Eric and Jan were full in their praise for each other’s countries.
“Belgium have great strength in depth in all positions, so their rise is natural given the players at their disposal,” said Eric, who will hope to protect England’s impressive record of one defeat in 20 matches against the Red Devils.
“For me, England are up there with the favourites,” stated Jan. “I think they have a very strong team with a good mentality and are physically very strong. When I speak to the English players at Spurs, they seem to be in the right place.”
