Manchester City received a surprise when their midfielder was unexpectedly left out of the Belgium squad for their upcoming matches against Ireland and England.
This decision came shortly after the player’s return from a lengthy injury spell, raising questions about his exclusion.
Tedesco, the Belgium coach, provided insight into this omission, citing concerns over a groin issue that arose following the player’s recent matches.
Addressing the media following the squad announcement, Tedesco expressed uncertainty about the potential link between the player’s current groin problem and his previous hamstring injury.
He emphasized the importance of considering both the player’s welfare and the interests of his club when making squad selections.
Tedesco explained that after consulting with the team doctor and the player himself, they collectively decided that the risk of aggravating the injury was too high to warrant his inclusion in the squad.
Tedesco stressed the responsibility of the coaching staff to prioritize the player’s long-term health and recovery.
He highlighted the need to ensure that any player called up to the national team is fit to participate fully in training and matches.
Given the current circumstances, Tedesco believed it was prudent to allow the player to focus on recuperating fully with Manchester City and aim to have him ready for the upcoming Euros.
The decision to omit him from the squad was made with the intention of safeguarding his well-being and avoiding any potential setbacks in his recovery process.
This development comes at a crucial juncture for Manchester City, with important fixtures on the horizon, including an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Newcastle United followed by a key Premier League encounter against title rivals Arsenal.
Given the player’s recent injury history and the significance of these upcoming matches, it is imperative for Pep Guardiola to have his midfielder available for selection.
However, the severity of the player’s current injury remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether he will be fit to feature in the upcoming fixtures.
In light of this situation, it is conceivable that Manchester City may opt to err on the side of caution and potentially rest the player for the upcoming FA Cup tie against Newcastle United.
This decision would allow him to recuperate further during the international break before resuming Premier League action.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on international duty, the player’s health and fitness will remain the top priority for both club and country as they navigate through this challenging period.
