Axel Witsel talks about Belgium, Euro 2016 and Standard Liege at SportMagazine, days before he celebrates his 60th cap with the Red Devils against Wales for the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers.
What do you think of the campaign so far?
Good but we could do better. The next game in Wales will be very important as they are currently in the first place.
Did you feel that the team is more confident since Brazil’s World Cup?
We have much more confidence in us. But things have changed: there is no more surprise. All teams ahead of us, know our qualities, know that we have great players. We must adapt to this change.
Are there any individuals who have grown in the team?
Eden Hazard! I think this year he has silenced all those people who criticized him when he returned to the national team. He was the best player of Chelsea, the best player in the English league. At every match, he was dangerous and decisive. He really took a different scale compared to his first two years in England.
They say that you play with him less than his teammates at Chelsea. Do you think you need to fix this?
It’s true that Chelsea, the team plays for him because they know he can make the difference at any moment, when he has the ball. In the national team, he has not yet reached this level but we are confident that he can do what he does at Chelsea. And if we do not pass solely to him it’s because we also have other players who can make a difference. The season of De Bruyne for example, was fantastic. There are no other words! 21 assists.
Do you keep an eye of Standard Liege?
A little. Russian TV does not show the matches. It’s a shame what is happening. This club is my heart. This is where I did my training. And to see them in such position, it hurts.
Still, they are 4th and in Europe.
Yes, but for me it is not a team capable of competing with Anderlecht and Bruges. From the moment Lucien D’Onofrio left Standard, I have not felt that it was the same club. If he had stayed, Standard would be always on top. He had it in him, it was his heart club, he knows football and knows how the environment works. He had managed to get a great team.
You could one day return to Standard?
I do not think of my late career. I’m only 26 years old.
Could you find yourself one day in a position like Steven Defour?
No, that could never happen. If I do that, I have to move from Liege (laughs). I understand and do not criticize his choices. But I will avoid making this choice.
