Euro 2020: Youri Tielemans still full of energy despite long season

Youri Tielemans thinks that he stills has a lot of energy left in the tank despite just finishing a hectic season with Leicester. Despite Leicester not being in the Champions League, they played a lot of games last season due to a good FA Cup run. Youri Tielemans started in 49 games and has also featured in all of Belgium’s 14 international matches since September.

Tielemans has grown in stature over the last 12 months. He has become an integral part of not only Leicester’s midfield but also in Roberto Martinez’s 2-man pivot for Belgium. He has been utilised with either Axel Witsel, Leander Dendoncker or Kevin De Bruyne in the midfield for Belgium.

“I still have a lot in store. I try to rest as much as possible and get my body ready for the games,” he told a news conference on Wednesday.

Youri Tielemans feels that he has endured an average campaign so far and can still provide more service to the team. He has already been one of the more important players for Belgium and if both Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are to miss Belgium’s quarter final clash against Italy, his workload will only increase.

“I always try to be self-critical, so I have mixed feelings about my tournament. Defensively it’s been okay, but against Portugal we could have done better by keeping the ball for longer.”

“I suppose advancing in the tournament on the back of one shot shows that we are efficient. We can create more, but it is not always necessary,” Tielemans added.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who has been linked with a move away from the King Power stadium, believes that the midfield battle against Italy will go a long way in deciding the outcome of the quarter final match and he is ready for the challenge.

“I expect that Italy might play football in a different way. Mentally, it is different because you face immediate elimination in the knockout phase. You may then play more cautiously, but I don’t think their playing style will change.

“It will be a good battle in midfield. Hopefully, the best will win.”