Kevin De Bruyne supports Eden Hazard's England Golden Generation comparison

By Zinny Boswell

Friday 8 June 2018 17:53, UK

Kevin De Bruyne has backed Eden Hazard's comments that Belgium must win a trophy to avoid wasting their 'Golden Generation' as England once did.

Chelsea's Hazard is hopeful Belgium, who are in the same World Cup group as England, can make the most of their talented squad and claim silverware at this summer's tournament in Russia.

Belgium boast Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens, Toby Alderweireld and Thibaut Courtois, alongside De Bruyne and Hazard, however, the Manchester City midfielder believes quality does not guarantee success.

"Everybody needs to win a trophy," said De Bruyne, when asked about Hazard's comments.

"Thirty-two teams are playing in the World Cup. There are 15 teams that are wanting to win the trophy, so 14 teams are going to be disappointed. That's the way it goes in a tournament.

"Everyone tries to prepare the best as possible and in a tournament you need everything - a good group, good form, luck, good circumstances.

"A ref can decide a tournament, so all you can do is prepare yourself mentally, physically, individually and as a team, and hope for the best and do the job you need to do. In the end you can talk about what happened."

Belgium are in Group G and kick-start their campaign against Panama, followed by Tunisia and take on England in their final match of the opening stage.