Player Focus: Europe's Top Rated Belgian Players This Season

The term ‘Golden Generation’ is used to describe an exceptionally gifted group of players of similar age and was a tag that England carried with them into the 2006 World Cup. The likes of David Beckham, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney shouldered the responsibility for the national team in Germany 7 years ago, only to falter and crash out at the quarter-final stage at the hands of Portugal on penalties.

As clichéd as the term may be, it can now be associated with Belgium. The nation with a population of a little over 11 million has won over a number of admirers recently as the trend of players plying their trade in the Premier League grows. While Nacer Chadli was the only Belgian to arrive from foreign shores in England this summer, the influx 12 months ago was at its peak when Christian Benteke, Eden Hazard and Jan Vertonghen all moved to Aston Villa, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

With league duties set to be resumed this coming weekend, we at WhoScored.com have analysed the top 5 performing Belgians in Europe’s top 5 leagues thus far, using our unique rating system to look at the best players to have made at least 2 appearances this season.

5) Eden Hazard - Chelsea (7.39)

After a protracted transfer saga that culminated in the player declaring he was ‘moving to the European Champions’ last summer, Eden Hazard plumped for Chelsea, despite interest from Arsenal and Manchester United. Now, under the stewardship of José Mourinho, Hazard has looked to step up his game in order to secure his first-team spot following the signings of Andre Schürrle, Willian and return of compatriot Kevin De Bruyne to add competition in a team including the Belgian, Juan Mata and Oscar.

At present, he’s going the right way about impressing the Portuguese tactician. His average of 3.3 key passes per game this term is bettered only by Newcastle United’s Sylvain Marveaux in England (5). With 3 successful dribbles per game also - that return is the highest of every Chelsea player - no player has attempted to beat an opponent with the ball more times than Hazard (20) in the Premier League after the opening 3 fixtures.

His direct threat and ability to run at the opposition with vigour is why Chelsea went to such lengths to secure his signature, paying Lille £32m for his services. With only Sone Aluko (13) and Fabian Delph (10) being fouled more times than Hazard (9) this season already, his threat is evident. Teams have highlighted this and aim to limit his impact by disrupting his rhythm by bringing him down, and while he is is yet to score or assist for Chelsea this term; he’s a key member of a fluid Blues attack aiming to secure Premier League glory.

4) Radja Nainggolan - Cagliari (7.57)

While Cagliari have endured a mixed start to the Serie A season, winning 1 and losing 1 of their opening 2 games, Radja Nainggolan has impressed in the midfield with only Marco Sau (7.63) garnering a higher average rating than the midfielder (7.57) thus far. After strengthening this summer, the Rossoblu have looked to build on their 11th place finish last term and the 25-year-old will be key to this.

Operating on the left, Nainggolan has already been fouled an average of 3 times per game, denoting how his threat to the opposition is much in the same vain as Hazard. This comes as little surprise when taking into consideration that the Cagliari ace is averaging 4 shots per game - the most of any player at the club - resulting in 1 goal for the Serie A side.

His average of 2 key passes per game accentuates how he is able to utilise his expansive passing capability when in possession, having averaged 45.5 passes per game. While the Premier League legion of Belgian’s continue to steal the limelight, such has been their performances this season and last, Nainggolan is ensuring that his displays for Cagliari have not gone unnoticed.

3) Christian Benteke - Aston Villa (7.69)

Christian Benteke's inclusion will comes as little shock to most, such has been his impact with Aston Villa. The striker has excelled at Villa Park since signing from Genk 12 months ago, netting 19 league goals in his debut campaign. His individual goal contribution of 40.4% was the highest of any player in the Premier League last term and when reports began to circulate that he'd handed in a transfer request midway through the transfer window, fans were predictably disappointed.

Yet, after signing a new contract with a club, the faith shown in him has been rewarded early on, with Benteke netting 3 goals in the opening 3 games this season; no player has scored more. Having won an average of 10.3 aerial duels per game - the highest in the Premier League - his aerial ability is key within the Villa first-team.

Factoring in the fact that all 3 of his goals have come in the penalty area shows how much of a goal threat he is to Villa. However, his goalgetting ability isn't the sole reason as to why he's won the plaudits as he drops deeper to be more involved in the build-up play, highlighted by the fact that only compatriot Hazard (10) has executed more key passes from open play than Benteke (8) this season, with the Belgian expected to play a pivotal role in seeing Villa potentially secure a top half finish this term. 

2) Marouane Fellaini - Manchester United (7.72)

Joining on deadline day, Manchester United had been linked with a move for Marouane Fellaini for much of the transfer window, and could have snared him for £4m cheaper than the £27.5m they eventually paid Everton for his services had they moved for him earlier. His acquisition, while not overly welcomed by the United fans, will certainly solidify a midfield that has appeared weak in the opening stages of David Moyes' managerial campaign.

The afro-sporting Belgian has already averaged 4.3 tackles per game in 3 Everton appearances, with that figure more than any player at his new club. This bite in the midfield is exactly what United have been lacking over recent seasons and will aid in their attempt to reclaim the title. Unsurprisingly, with his physical approach to the game, his foul count is also high and the 176 he’s committed since the beginning of the 2011/12 season to the present day is the most of any player in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old will also offer a further goal threat for his new club, with only Michu scoring more headed goals (6) than Fellaini (5) in the Premier League last term and no matter the lack of goals this year, his aerial threat will further improve the United attack. An 89.1% pass success in his 3 games this season accentuates his ability to pick out a teammate and, from a deep lying role, will further aid the team.

1) Simon Mignolet - Liverpool (7.76)

Liverpool are 1 of only 3 teams in Europe's top 5 leagues yet to concede a goal this season and much of that is down to the goalkeeping exploits of Simon Mignolet. Signing from Sunderland in the summer, the Belgian has effortlessly replaced Pepe Reina in between the sticks at Anfield, picking up 3 clean sheets – no goalkeeper in Europe's top 5 leagues has more this term - as the Reds sit at the summit of the Premier League following their 100% start to the season.

This has seen the 25-year-old make 12 saves thus far, averaging 4 per game - only Fulham’s David Stockdale (4.7) and Manchester United’s David De Gea (4.3) have made more - including a penalty save in the 1-0 win over Stoke City. Continuing the form that won him a legion of admirers during his time at Sunderland, the young shotstopper is performing at the standard the Liverpool fans would expect.

No player has made more punches (3) than Mignolet this term, and his ability to ensure the ball is removed from danger when under pressure is what has stood him in exceptional stead in his first 3 games with Liverpool. With the ability to protect the lead also a strong point for the team, much of this has been down to Mignolet’s exceptional start to the season and it’s little surprise that he's WhoScored.com’s highest rated Belgian player this early in the season.

Do you think Simon Mignolet has been the best performing Belgian this season? Let us know in the comments below