New Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne stated he by no means considered quitting the nationwide group even after his nation flopped eventually 12 months’s FIFA World Cup — following which his predecessor Eden Hazard introduced his worldwide retirement.
The 31-year-old Manchester City kingpin was named as skipper by new coach Domenico Tedesco, who changed Roberto Martinez after the highly-rated Belgians had been bundled out within the first spherical in Qatar final 12 months.
Toby Alderweireld and back-up goalkeeper Simon Mignolet additionally stop worldwide soccer since Qatar whereas regulars Dries Mertens and Axel Witsel have been dropped.
De Bruyne stated he has discovered the primary days underneath Tedesco and a new-look squad as “an introduction to new class mates at a new school”.
“It is different, but I see a lot of energy. For many young players. it is an opportunity to play and it is time for them to grab it too,” he informed reporters on the eve of their opening Euro 2024 qualifier towards Sweden in Stockholm on Friday.
“It feels fresh, but it was still a shock. Half of the usual squad is no longer there. But the newcomers want their chance as we used to want our chances.”
Asked whether or not he had considered quitting after the World Cup, De Bruyne stated, “I did not think about stopping, not even for a second, actually.”
On the captaincy, De Bruyne stated he would comply with the instance set by Vincent Kompany, who was the Belgian skipper from 2010-2018, and be direct together with his teammates.
“Everyone knows that I don’t beat around the bush but any criticism I have is always with good intentions, to help everyone do better,” he stated.
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“It is an honour to be selected as captain. I hope to lay a good foundation for the future. I will try to lead by example. If I have to speak, I will. If I don’t have to, then I won’t. I don’t want to intrude. Everyone should feel comfortable and if I can help, I will try.”
De Bruyne, who has 97 caps, additionally stated an enchancment after the World Cup was a lot wanted from Belgium, who spent a lot of the final 4 years on prime of the FIFA rankings.
“We have to accept that it wasn’t good enough in Qatar. As a team, our level has simply dropped a bit in the last year and a half. Hopefully, now, it’s a new start,” he added.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com