If that is the case then next summer’s World Cup could be right up your street.
Belgium, yes Belgium, a team who has never won the European Championship, World Cup or any other football completion of note enter next year’s tournament with a squad that, on paper at least, rivals any team in the competition.
If we all agree that the English Premier League is one if the strongest in world football then it's fair to assume that, in no particular order, these six sides make up the best teams therein; Liverpool, Tottenham, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd. It may come as a surprise to some to learn that each team has at least one Belgium star within its midst.
Could such an upset really occur? Put simply, yes, Denmark and Greece provide us with substantial evidence of footballs improbable outcomes.
Denmark failed to qualify for Euro 1992 only to be allowed in weeks before it started replacing Yugoslavia. Some 16 days later they had won the competition to the surprise of footballs European elite. However Denmark had a talented group of players which, with all due respect, Greece in 2004 didn’t. Playing an unattractive, dogged style of football the 66-1 outsiders fought their way to victory to the amazement of the footballing world. Italy too were not backed by many to win the World Cup of 2006 and although this isn’t considered a huge surprise they provide a recent example of a competent squad consistently playing their way to World Cup success.
The Belgium’s currently sit top of their qualifying group with a hugely impressive record of seven wins and a draw from eight games played. With a five point advantage over second place Croatia their qualification for the World Cup is almost guaranteed.
A number of sides are backed far greater than the Belgium’s. Two at the very front of the list are the host nation Brazil and South American rivals, Argentina. Although I concede both have strong squads there is a huge reliance on one individual per side. Should Neymar or Messi become injured or underperform then their countries chances of success will diminish greatly. Belgium has no such worries as the quality they have is spread across the entirety of the squad. There is one apparent immovable object, the Spanish. They have to stop winning at some point and Belgium has as much chance as anyone else to topple the kings from their thrown.
Managed by 44 year old Marc Wilmots this current Belgium side has no apparent weaknesses in any department of the squad. In goal there are two fine possibilities, our own Simon Mignolet is the foundation upon which their impressive house can be built. Atletico Madrid's Thibaut Courtois, at 21, represents one of the most highly regarded young goalkeepers in world football.
Defensively they look as equipped as anyone in the tournament. The Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and North London rivals Jan Vertonghen and Thomas Vermaelen will bring solidity and pace in equal measure in-front of Liverpool's first ever Belgian player, Simon Mignolet.
The blend of flair and resilience in midfield is equally impressive. Tottenham’s Mousa Dembélé and Nacer Chadli mixed with Marouane Fellaini, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard will pose a tactical problem to most top teams. Non premier league stars such as Stephen Defour and Toby Alderweireld provide extra class and quality with the latter being one of the brightest young defenders in Europe.
With the noticeable physical strength of the defence and midfield you’d presume that the attack may be a little lightweight, you’d be hugely mistaken. In Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku there’s a twinned threat of pace and power, added to the craft of Evertons Kevin Mirallas and Napoli’s Dries Mertens this front line would cause nightmares to the majority of accomplished international defences.
Although the squad is relatively young there are a couple of older heads to provide guidance and leadership when necessary. Timmy Simons and Daniel Van Buyten have amassed over 165 caps between them.
If the Belgium’s can acclimatise to Brazils humid conditions then in theory there’s little else to stop this footballing runaway train. Although this is clearly their ‘Golden Generation’ the level of expectation will be considerably less than counties like France, Holland and ourselves where the inevitable ‘this will be our year’ strap line rears its ugly head tournament after tournament.
Brazil, Spain, Germany and Argentina will expect to be there or there abouts and although I’m not one to gamble or encourage the act of gambling it’s worth noting that a £20 bet could make you a tidy £400 return, it would be amiss of me to not mention it.