Kevin De Bruyne expresses concerns over Belgium's decline in standards

By Robert Mutasi 

Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has issued a stern warning over the current state of the Belgian national football team, as he strongly believes it is not as good as it used to be since their brilliant showing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The attacking midfielder of Manchester City frankly said that the team currently performs well below the standards compared to previous years, and he also shared his thoughts on some attitudes from players that do not fit in with the standards he wants.

"I know we're not as good as we were in 2018," admitted De Bruyne candidly, reflecting on the 'Golden Generation' which took Belgium to the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

That was a well-known Belgian team, seen by many as one of the best Belgian teams ever. It had Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois along with De Bruyne.

So, Belgium finished third without the trophy but left the tournament as one of the most respected teams in the world.

It does seem, per recent comments by De Bruyne, that this team has gotten worse since then.

Agreeing there is some natural decline, the 32-year-old midfielder suggested there are bigger problems in the squad, but he did not detail such.

"I noticed that first, but other things are not okay; I am not saying what", he then mysteriously said raising question marks about possible problems or lack of commitment from somebody.

De Bruyne chipped in, "The only way Belgium can climb to the pinnacle of international football is if it has a fully committed team and players giving all no matter their current form. "If the standard we want to reach is the best but we're no longer good enough to get to that level, then you have to give everything… if you don't even do that, it's over!"

His comments reflect the growing concerns that Belgium's 'Golden Generation' is slowly disappearing without realizing its full and limitless potential.

After all, several of the players in the 2018 team are at or near the end of their careers, so rebuilding and renewing the supply of talent is getting pretty urgent.

The current crop is at the crossroads of qualification needing to be there for big tournaments, but the statement from Kevin De Bruyne serves as a reminder that talent is simply not enough. 

Without the right attitude and will, even the future of the national team is at stake. 

This perhaps could be a turning point as far as the identity of Belgium's football is concerned.