Could a striker from Ligue 2 help the Belgian Red Devils at the World Cup?

Could a striker from Ligue 2 help the Belgian Red Devils at the World Cup?

Two seasons ago, Saint-Etienne parted with a decent amount of money to bring in Lucas Stassin from Westerlo. The then teenage striker had just scored nine goals in 27 games for the side and was on course for another good season, with two goals in five games to begin the next campaign. Stassin swapped the Pro League for Ligue 1, and while his side were relegated, scored 12 goals in 28 games in Ligue 1. The striker could have left the club last summer, but stayed to try and help them return to the top flight of French football. So far this season, he has scored 10 goals in 28 games, with five assists.

Saint-Etienne look set for an immediate return to the top flight. They are three points ahead of Le Mans in third, while just a point behind Troyes at the top of the table. There are just four games to go in Ligue 2, and the side face Troyes on the 25th of April in a game that could decide the title. While earning promotion will certainly be on Stassin’s mind, the striker also has one eye on the summer. Injuries to strikers saw him earn a call up to the Belgian Red Devils for recent friendlies. Stassin played 18 minutes in the Red Devils’ 1-1 draw with Mexico, making his senior debut for the Belgian national team.

Stassin has been a highly rated youngster since he was part of the Anderlecht academy. He moved to Westerlo to get more opportunities and certainly made the most of the ones he was given. With Romelu Lukaku frozen out at Napoli and set to enter the World Cup without match practice and an out of form Loïs Openda, the Red Devils may have to look elsewhere for goals during the tournament. One option will be playing Leandro Trossard as a number nine, yet this experiment has been tried and tested in the past, with little success.

Of the striking options that Belgium has, Stassin may well be the next on the list after these three. It would certainly be risky for Rudi Garcia to turn to the striker, if he is even considering including him as part of the squad. Yet, expectations for Belgium are lower than they have been since before the emergence of the so called ‘golden generation’ of the last decade. Furthermore, the Red Devils need to begin the process of finding a replacement for Lukaku. At just 21, Stassin may well be that replacement. Giving him the opportunity to experience a World Cup, even if it is from the bench, may be hugely beneficial in the future.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson