Sunderland man backed in international disagreement – Icon questions manager decision

Sunderland’s Thomas Meunier wasn’t the only one left baffled by his exclusion from the Belgium squad this week.

New Belgium boss Mark van Bommel announced his squad for the Red Devils earlier this week, with the 35-year-old Sunderland full-back a surprise omission.

Belgium disagreement

Just last week he had insisted that he wasn’t turning back on the national team despite his advancing years, believing that he still has plenty to offer a nation he’s made 83 appearances for since 2013.

“As for me, I am still available, as I’ve said,” he said.

“I think I’m also a bit lucky because, right now, I’m doing very, very well in my position. I’m still out there performing and delivering top-level displays in the best leagues.

“And the fact that I’m always at 100% and always available reinforces my belief that I can still render good and loyal service to the nation,” he concluded.

Instead, he is out of at the beginning of Van Bommel’s reign. The Belgian coach has already admitted that led to a disagreement with the Sunderland man.

“I didn’t tell him that it was over for him,” explained Van Bommel.

“I’m just choosing other players at the moment. Thomas didn’t agree with that. ‘I’m going to become important,’ he said. That’s great.”

Legend unconvinced

It seems, though, that while Meunier has almost accepted the exclusion as a challenge, there are some still questioning the choice. Once of those in Belgian icon Philippe Albert.

He thinks that a younger Belgium squad could have benefitted from the Sunderland defender’s experience.

“Thomas is someone who always gives his all; a true professional who has played in various leagues. In my opinion, Thomas should have been in the squad,” he told RTBF.

“Sabbe and Seys are making progress—that’s great. But won’t those lads eventually fall short when it comes to international experience?