Belgium coach Roberto Martinez does not rule out fielding an entirely changed side against England on Thursday from the starting lineup which secured qualification from World Cup Group G with wins over Panama and Tunisia. With both teams already through, Martinez told reporters he was keen to get his whole squad primed for the knockout phase and was unlikely to pick three players who will be suspended for the next round if they pick up a second yellow card.
Asked if he could even rotate all 10 outfield positions, the Spaniard said on Monday: “It could be an option.” “It would be very risky and a real gamble to play any of the players that’s got a yellow card against England,” Martinez said.
The three are defender Jan Vertonghen, winger Thomas Meunier and midfield linchpin Kevin De Bruyne.