Lukaku gets Belgium call-up for Euro Qualifiers despite lack of playing time

Belgium’s file scorer Romelu Lukaku has been known as as much as its squad for this month’s European Championship qualifiers, coach Domenico Tedesco stated on Friday, regardless of the striker not but taking part in this season.

Lukaku signed a one-year mortgage deal at AS Roma on Thursday and will begin on the bench in opposition to AC Milan this weekend, however a call-up to the Belgium squad for its Group F matches in opposition to Azerbaijan and Estonia was by no means unsure, the coach instructed a press convention.

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“We have seen in recent international matches that Romelu is extremely important to us, both on and off the field,” Tedesco stated.

“Romelu and I kept in touch almost every day and I was aware of his transfer situation. I know he did train with Chelsea and individually as well and for us it was never a question not to call him. We will see in what condition he fits in and then make a further evaluation.”

But Tedesco did deem new Chelsea participant Romeo Lavia, signed from Southampton final month, as “not fit enough” for a call-up. Lavia, 19, has not performed both this season.

Wingback Hugo Siquet of Cercle Brugge was known as up for the primary time.

Tedesco spent a few of Friday’s press convention fielding questions on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who walked out on the squad in June after being missed for the captaincy.

Courtois then later suffered a critical knee damage with Real Madrid that would preserve him out for a lot of the season.

“The most important thing is that he is now recovering well. We have stayed in touch with Thibaut in recent weeks and months. A meeting was planned with myself, but the next day he got injured,” Tedesco stated.

Belgium performs Azerbaijan in Baku subsequent Saturday and hosts Estonia three days later.