There are certain, unalienable truths in life: death, taxes, Thomas Vermaelen suffering injury. To nobody's great surprise, Vermaelen was forced out of Belgian training yesterday through injury, with Belgian manager Marc Wilmots admitting that Vermaelen's absence will force him into a defensive reshuffle.
Before the tournament, the Belgian defence was expected to consist of Vermaelen alongside Vincent Kompany at centre-back, with Spurs duo Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld as the full-backs. The merits of both Vermaelen and Kompany notwithstanding, it seemed a strange decision to not consider pairing Alderweireld and Vertonghen alongside each other, as both excelled at Spurs this season.
When Kompany was confirmed as missing through injury, Wilmots used Alderweireld alongside Vermaelen at centre-back, with Vertonghen continuing at left-back. Vertonghen did not exactly cover himself in glory while out of position against Switzerland last week:
Now, however, following the injury to Vermaelen, Marc Wilmots confirmed that he will select Alderweireld alongside Vertonghen at centre-back for tomorrow's friendly with Norway. The full-backs being 20-year-old Jason Denayer (who spent last season on loan at Galatasaray from Manchester City) and Jordan Lukaku, younger brother of Romelu.
Wilmots added that Vermaelen will come back into the team should he be fit for the Euros:
Belgium in Euros: With Thomas Vermaelen injured, Wilmots says Vertonghen will play CB as well vs Norway, with Jordan Lukaku at LB. (2/3)
— John Chapman (@BelgoFoot) June 4, 2016
I didn't think Wilmots would go with Alderweireld & Vertonghen in centre but he probably will have to. Back four changing every game. #thfc
— John Chapman (@BelgoFoot) June 4, 2016
One would imagine that the partnership of Vertonghen and Alderweireld is more solid, owing to the experience they have of playing alongside each other. Should Vermaelen recover in time, it may actually be a boost for Ireland.
While we are at it, here is another straw to clutch: in spite of their myriad, dazzling talent, Belgium's top scorer is Marouane Fellaini, with 15 goals.
