Well we all keep hearing about the praise of Belgium’s super stars. Playing their trade across the Globe and in the Premier League. But what do we know about their Goalkeepers?

Well I am surprised by my findings

It looks like Belgium are going to be taking 3 Goalkeepers to the World Cup. Each of the 3 Goalkeepers that I think will go to the World Cup have no experience in playing at the World Cup or European Championships because Belgium had failed to qualify for World Cup 2006 and 2010. Belgium has also had little luck in the European Championships as they have failed to qualify for 2004, 2008 and 2012.

I personally feel that their will be very little pressure on this team to perform as they have not be in a major tournament for a few years and they have a very young but up and coming squad.

Right the Goalkeepers who I think will go to the world cup are:

• Simon Mignolet

• Thibaut Courtois

• Koen Casteels

Outside Chance

Goalkeepers with and outside chance of being called up are Jean-Francois Gillet aged 34 playing his club football for Torino. He has 9 caps to his name and his last call up was Against Serbia on 7th June 2013.

Thomas Kaminski aged 21 plays his club football at Anderlecht and was called up against the USA on 29th May 2013.

Right moving on to the Goalkeepers I think will be on the plane to Brazil.

In 3rd place Koen Casteels. Age 21 Plays his club football at Hoffenheim. Casteels started his career as a youngster at KAC Betekom and after 8 years moved onto Genk.

After 2 years at Genk in 2011 Casteels moved to 1899 Hoffenheim. He featured in the reserves before making his first team debut. A regular in Belgiums youth Ranks featuring regular since under 15’s all the way up to the seniors. He could be the next big thing in Belgium and will look to challenge for the number one spot in a number of years.

In at Number 5

Reserve Goalkeeper.

This is a big shout. I personally think Thibaut Courtois.
What a season Courtois is having. He is 21 years old, currently on loan from Chelsea at Atletico Madrid in his second season on loan there. He is worshipped by the Atletico Mardid fans. He has been ever present this season and a massive part of why Atletico are challenging both domestically and in the Champions League.

About Courtois.

Started with Bilzen V.V as a youngster. After two years signed for Genk. After 10 years in the youth setup at Genk he was given his first team debut aged 16. He has picked up Goalkeeper of the year and play of the year award in season 2010-2011 and kept 14 clean sheets.

In July 2011 Chelsea signed Courtois on a 5 year contract. But they loaned him out in the same month to Atletico Madrid who needed a goalkeeper to replace departing David de Gea who signed for Manchester United.

From his debut for Genk in 2009 Courtois was called up to Belgium under 21’s and made 4 apperances. He has since gone on to make 14 apperances for the senior international team since 2011. His first game was a friendly with france. Finishing in a 0-0 draw.

A few highlights…

First Choice – Simon Mignolet – Age 26.

Mignolet made his name at 2nd divison and home town club Sint- Truden. He help them win the Belgium 2nd division in 2009 aged just 18 and named Belgium Goalkeeper of the year the following season after helping Sint-Truiden to avoid relegation.

Mignolet then signed for Premier League side Sunderland who beat FC Twente, PSV Eindhoven and Udinese to sign him. He signed a 5 year contract in June 2010. £9 Million was enough to convince Sunderland to sell to Liverpool.
Liverpool have had a fantastic season in 2013-2014 I belive this has some small part down to replacing Renia as Liverpools Number 1.

Mignolet in action