Anderlecht‘s De Cat Fuels World Cup Debate, Analyst Backs Inclusion Over Raskin
brussels, Belgium – RSC Anderlecht midfielder Nathan De Cat is increasingly being discussed as a potential inclusion in Belgium’s world Cup squad, following another strong performance against Union SG. While competition for midfield spots is fierce, analyst Daan Slingers of VoetbalPrimeur.be’s Tijd voor Voetbal podcast argues De Cat deserves a place, and even a ticket to the tournament.
“He simply makes the difference at RSC Anderlecht,” Slingers stated on the podcast. He drew a parallel to past selections,noting,”Someone like Enzo Scifo was also 17,right?”
The debate comes as national coach Rudi Garcia weighs options including Amadou Onana,Roméo Lavia,Axel Witsel,Orel Mangala,and Nicolas Raskin. Analysts Michiel vercauteren and Glenn Schrader also highlighted Charles Vanhoutte, Bryan Heynen, and Arthur Vermeeren as potential contenders.
Despite acknowledging De Cat’s potential, Schrader questioned whether relying on a young player in a crucial World Cup knockout stage is prudent. “But are you going to count on De Cat in the eighth final of the World Cup against, say, Brazil or France?” he asked, emphasizing the need for current quality over future promise.
Slingers, however, remains steadfast in his belief that De Cat’s current form warrants selection. He specifically advocated for De Cat’s inclusion over Nicolas Raskin, stating, “I would take Raskin out. He only plays in the Scottish league, while De Cat excels in our Belgian league.”
As of today, a poll on VoetbalPrimeur.be shows 302 votes cast on the question of whether De Cat should go to the World Cup. the discussion unfolded during episode 19 of the second season of Tijd voor Voetbal, which also covered Club Brugge’s recent struggles and the performances of Kos Karetsas.
