Michy Batshuayi has scored two Premier League goals since joining Crystal Palace from Chelsea – but he struggled for Belgium against Russia.
Michy Batshuayi had a night to forget in Brussels.
With Romelu Lukaku ruled out through injury, the Crystal Palace loanee led the line for Belgium as Roberto Martinez’s side hosted Russia in their opening Euro 2020 Qualifier on Thursday.
Now, any striker worth his salt should be licking his lips about the prospect of playing alongside attacking midfielders with the creative talents of Eden Hazard, Thorgan Hazard and Dries Mertens, never mind Leicester star Youri Tielemans and Atalanta’s steam train of a right-back Timothy Castagne.
But Batshuayi missed his chance in Lukaku’s absence. Quite literally.
The 25-year-old hit the post, had one effort cleared off the line and inadvertently set up Eden Hazard’s goal as Belgium sealed a 3-1 win by stumbling on the ball and deflecting it into the Chelsea star’s path.
The £33 million Chelsea loanee has scored three goals in his last five games for Crystal Palace in league and cup but he failed to convince once again at international level.
And it seems that patience is running thin on the ground among the Belgium supporters.
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