BRUSSELS, Sep 1: For Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco, calling up Romelu Lukaku for a couple of European Championship qualifiers was a no brainer.
Even though the striker’s season-long loan deal to Roma was only completed Thursday – ending uncertainty over his future and a standoff with Chelsea – and Lukaku having not played so far this campaign.
Tedesco said he closely followed the developments that led to Lukaku’s move at Roma, and that he knew how seriously the striker trained despite the offseason Chelsea row. Belgium, which is second in Group F three points behind Austria but with a match in hand, takes on Azerbaijan on Sept. 9 then hosts Estonia three days later. The 2024 Euro tournament takes place in Germany.
Tedesco said he will have more certainties about Lukaku’s fitness after a few days of preparations starting next week at Belgium’s training camp. (PTI)
Belgium squad
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels, Matz Sels, Arnaud Bodart, Thomas Kaminski.
Defenders: Ameen Al-Dakhil, Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Arthur Theate, Jan Vertonghen, Hugo Siquet.Midfielders: Orel Mangala, Yannick Carrasco, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans Forwards: Johan Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi, Charles De Ketelaere, Olivier Deman, Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Lois Openda, Leandro Trossard.
