BRUSSELS — For Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco, calling up Romelu Lukaku for a few European Championship qualifiers was a no brainer.

Even although the striker’s season-long mortgage deal to Roma was solely accomplished Thursday - ending uncertainty over his future and a standoff with Chelsea - and Lukaku having not performed to this point this marketing campaign.

Tedesco mentioned he intently adopted the developments that led to Lukaku’s transfer at Roma, and that he knew how critically the striker skilled regardless of the offseason Chelsea row.

“I know that he was training. He was training with Chelsea too, of course, but also individually,” Tedesco mentioned after together with Belgium’s report scorer within the 24-man squad.

“For us it was not a question to invite him or not, because I think you saw in the last games how important he is. Not just as a player, also for the changing room. He is a leader. He is a top striker, and a top human,” Tedesco added.

Belgium, which is second in Group F three factors behind Austria however with a match in hand, takes on Azerbaijan on Sept. 9 then hosts Estonia three days later. The 2024 Euro match takes place in Germany.

Tedesco mentioned he could have extra certainties about Lukaku’s health after a number of days of preparations beginning subsequent week at Belgium’s coaching camp. In the absence of stalwarts Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, Tedesco insisted on the necessity for inspirational gamers within the squad.

“We have some leaders, and Romelu is one of them,” Tedesco mentioned.

While De Bruyne’s absence is simply as a consequence of his hamstring damage, the scenario with Courtois is extra sophisticated.

The Real Madrid goalkeeper tore a ligament in his left knee, simply two days earlier than the group’s first sport of the season, nevertheless it stay unclear whether or not he would have positively answered a name from Tedesco following their dispute in June.

At the time, the coach accused Courtois of abandoning his teammates and faking an damage earlier than a Euro qualifier as a result of the goalie was “offended” by Tedesco’s dealing with of the captaincy.

Asked whether or not they had settled their rating, Tedesco mentioned the Belgium employees has remained in touch with Courtois. He added {that a} assembly with the goalkeeper which he steered didn't materialize as a result of “the very next day he got this injury.”

“The most important thing is that he is back on the pitch very soon,” Tedesco mentioned, including that he has not set a deadline for Courtois’ choice to return or not.

“Life is too short to be, how can I say, too strict,” Tedesco mentioned. “We have to enjoy it.”

To make up for Courtois’ absence, Tedesco referred to as up 4 goalkeepers - Koen Casteels, Matz Sels, Arnaud Bodart and Thomas Kaminski.

Tesdesco additionally referred to as one new participant, Cercle Brugge defender Hugo Siquet. The right-back was included after Alexis Saelemaekers picked up an damage whereas coaching with Bologna.

“He has a brilliant foot,” Tedesco mentioned. “He is able to be dangerous with the last pass from every position. From outside but also from inside. Beautiful crosses, good set pieces. And I think a good mentality.”

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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, Loïs Openda, Leandro Trossard.

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