As Belgium named a plethora of big names in their 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup on Thursday afternoon, Wout Faes emerged as a surprise pick.
However, it is worth emphasizing that the 24-year-old deserves his spot on the plane to Qatar.
The ex-Reims defender was Leicester City’s one and only signing this summer and so far, he has proven why the club were insistent on signing him at all cost.
As the Foxes have started to recover from their appalling start to the Premier League season, the Belgian has been at their heart of their recent improvement.
In the 8 league games in which Faes has started for Brendan Rodgers’ side, they have kept an impressive five clean sheets.
With the Red Devils still calling up the ageing duo of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, the Leicester talisman adds much-needed youth and form to the side.
Making a mere one appearance for his national team so far, his call-up is a sign of just how key Roberto Martinez believes he could be to his side’s fortunes, despite being extremely inexperienced.
As the former Everton manager tends to operate with a back three, it could well be possible that he becomes a starter in Qatar.
Faes’ shrewd reading of the game coupled with his impressive ball-playing ability makes him the perfect fit to be deployed in such a system.
However, even if Wout Faes is merely a bench option at the showpiece event, soaking in the experience of a World Cup can always drive a player to continue their ascent.
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