As the World Cup approaches, the Belgian Red Devils face a familiar but pressing question: who will provide the goals? With established stars like Romelu Lukaku struggling for form and fitness, the search for a reliable striker has taken an intriguing turn toward France's second tier. Could a Ligue 2 forward be the unexpected answer for Belgium's tournament hopes?
The spotlight falls on Lucas Stassin of Saint-Etienne. Two seasons ago, the then-teenager made a bold move from Westerlo to the French top flight, where he immediately impressed by netting 12 goals in 28 Ligue 1 games despite his club's relegation. Demonstrating loyalty and resilience, Stassin stayed with Les Verts to fight for promotion, a decision now paying dividends. This season, he has notched 10 goals and 5 assists in 28 games, helping Saint-Etienne to the summit of Ligue 2 with a title-deciding clash against Troyes looming.
Stassin's club form has not gone unnoticed by the national team setup. Injuries up front recently earned him a senior call-up, where he made his debut with an 18-minute cameo in Belgium's 1-1 draw against Mexico. For a player once highly rated in the famed Anderlecht academy, this represents a significant step toward fulfilling his potential on the international stage.
The context makes his rise particularly compelling. With Lukaku's situation at Napoli casting doubt on his sharpness, and other options like Loïs Openda facing criticism, Belgium's attacking strategy is under scrutiny. Experiments with Leandro Trossard as a false nine have yielded mixed results, opening the door for a traditional striker to seize the moment.
While turning to a relatively untested Ligue 2 forward for a World Cup campaign carries inherent risk for manager Rudi Garcia, it also embodies the spirit of sporting opportunity. With expectations for the Red Devils tempered compared to previous cycles, this could be the perfect moment for a hungry, in-form talent like Stassin to make his mark. As the final games of the Ligue 2 season unfold, his quest for a league title and a plane ticket to the World Cup presents a classic underdog story in the making.