The Belgians taking the Premier League by storm

The English Premier League attracts some of the best players in the world on the basis of its’ competition, velocity, and intensity. But amongst the abundance of Englishmen, Frenchmen, Spaniards, and Italians, are a new European super-power: The Belgians.

Chelsea’s marquee signing this summer of the £32million Eden Hazard only sealed the deal for the Premier League as the Belgium international team’s home away from home.

Hazard’s national teammate Marouane Fellani has been in impeccable form for Everton this season, the 24-year-old netting 3 goals in the opening 5 games of the season for the club.

He was joined this summer by young Belgian striker Kevin Mirallas who transferred from Olympiakos where he was the Greek league’s top goal scorer last season with a tally of 20 goals in 34 appearances the Greek side.

Fellani’s first goal of the season came against Manchester United – the archrivals of his Belgium teammate Vincent Kompany. The Man City captain has become his team’s most invaluable player with his leadership and unequivocal commitment.

Another Premier League club captain is Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen who has become a staple of the Belgium national team’s back line. The powerful and dominant defender made his way to the Emirates in 2009 and has, in just two seasons, become an indispensible member of the first-team.

His centre-back partner for Belgium is Jan Vertonghen who signed this summer for North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur along with Belgian midfielder Moussa Dembele who made his way over from West London outfit Fulham.

Going in the other direction is Romelu Lukaku who signed for Fulham’s West London rivals Chelsea last year. The 19-year-old departed from West London on a loan deal this season, for West Brom where he has already scored 2 goals in 5 appearances.

Also on loan from the Blues is Kevin de Bruyne who will spend this season with German side Werder Bremen. The 21-year-old has earned his break into the Belgium senior team after an impressive spell in the U21 and U19 sides.

Along with the likes of Sunderland’s Simon Mignolet in goal, and Man City’s Deryck Boyata, the Belgian invasion of the English Premier League shows no signs of relenting. Belgium will surely feel they have a pool of talent to become contenders in Brazil for World Cup 2014.

Jenny Leigh

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Jennifer is a freelance writer and filmmaker from London with a great passion for football - the game, the business, and the culture. Jennifer hopes to provide readership with a high standard of news, analysis, and opinion over a range of football events, stories, and issues.