De Bruyne’s plea for Vanaken: the midfielder who makes life easier

Kevin De Bruyne has publicly backed Hans Vanaken’s claim for more minutes with the Belgian national team, calling the Club Brugge midfielder a player who makes his own game easier. Speaking in Vancouver on Friday, De Bruyne described Vanaken as a ‘genius’ on the ball and said his presence has allowed Belgium to field more creative players in recent matches. The match against New Zealand saw Belgium dominate, but it was Vanaken’s influence that stood out. The midfielder has been in demand for two consecutive games, a shift that coincides with his improved form alongside De Bruyne. ‘Put Vanaken next to any player and he makes them better,’ De Bruyne said. ‘He’s a top player. He’s unlucky he had so much competition, otherwise he would have played a lot more for the national team.’ De Bruyne, who has played with Vanaken in training and matches, said the midfielder’s understanding of space and timing accelerates the game, isolating him to create chances. ‘I’m not the Kevin of nine years ago,’ De Bruyne said. ‘That’s why I need Vanaken. He makes my life so much easier.’ De Bruyne even pushed internally for Vanaken to start, though the final call rests with head coach Rudi Garcia.

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Training sessions have shown Vanaken’s impact. When paired with De Bruyne, the chemistry was immediate, with both players elevating each other’s performance. Against New Zealand, Vanaken acted as a decoy, capable of delivering the decisive pass or scoring himself. Despite his talent, Vanaken has often been overlooked by national team coaches, a trend De Bruyne attributes to his entire career being spent at Club Brugge. ‘If he had moved abroad, his international career would look very different,’ De Bruyne said. ‘But he chose to stay and play for trophies every season, which gives him a bigger kick than playing anonymously in the Premier League, for example.’ Vanaken’s loyalty to Club Brugge is rewarded with consistent playing time and appreciation, but his international prospects depend on Garcia’s decisions. The midfielder’s next matches will be crucial in determining whether he secures a regular starting spot. Rudi Garcia now faces a clear choice: reward Vanaken’s form or stick with more established names. De Bruyne’s endorsement adds weight to the argument for change.