Thomas Vermaelen: anglophile with high hopes for Belgium – and England

The Belgium defender with an English wife says both teams are capable of winning the World Cup and sees similarities between Hazard and Messi

Diego Maradona stood there in a black shirt, black suit, two watches, one on each wrist, and a yellow bow tie, holding up a piece of paper that said “England” on it. That meant they were going into Group G with Belgium; it also meant that, sitting watching the draw at home, Thomas Vermaelen had an awkward question for his English wife, Polly Parsons. “I asked her straightaway who she was supporting,” he says. And? “And, of course, she gave a good answer,” he adds, smiling and moving on quickly.

On Thursday they meet in Kaliningrad. “It’s a nice game for us and I think England is very interesting,” Vermaelen says. “I know in England you’re usually all very negative about your national team but I think now with the qualities you have – young, talented players – it’s not going to be easy for us. You have a very good side.”

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from Football | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/27/thomas-vermaelen-belgium-england-world-cup-hazard-messi

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