Andy Brassell has called on Premier League clubs to capitalise on Mika Godts’ omission from Belgium’s World Cup squad.
The European football broadcaster believes Godts’ absence from this year’s tournament means the winger can now be bought for a significantly lower fee.
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Dubbed the next ‘Eden Hazard’, the 20-year-old prodigy was tipped to be one of the breakout stars of the World Cup.
However, Belgium manager Rudi Garcia left the winger out of his 26-man squad.
Garcia’s decision may have left Dutch giants Ajax furious given they may not be able to net a transfer fee as high as they’d have hoped, with long-term admirers in the Premier League now hopeful for a summer transfer bargain.
Godts has been a standout in a tough season for Ajax – scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists in 31 appearances.
His performances earned him his first senior international call-up in March, as Belgium defeated the United States 5-2 in a friendly.
However, it did not support his campaign for heading to the World Cup after the ex-Napoli boss finalised his selection.
Brassell: Godts ‘couldn’t have done any more’ for World Cup call-up
The choice to leave the youngster out shocked eSPORTY’s Brassell.
“The fact that Mika Godts is not going is remarkable,” Brassell said.
“He’s had a great season with Ajax. He is someone who ticks both boxes as a winger.
“He can dribble like an old-fashioned winger, but he can also cut inside and score goals as well. So he’s a scorer and an assister, he’s perfect for coming off the bench.
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“He was really good when they played their games in the US during the March international break. He couldn’t really have done any more.
“And the fact that Malik Fofana of Lyon, who’s also not been picked due to injury, shocks me even more why he isn’t there.
“He got injured in October, made a brief comeback and experienced some pain in his ankle. So he had to have a plate removed and only came back at the end of the season. I can understand why Rudy Garcia left him, even though on talent alone, Fofana is a shoe in.
“And especially when you consider one of the other wide players that has been picked. And admittedly, Dodi Lukebakio for Mika Godts is not a like-for-like profile swap.
“But if we’re talking about which wide players you want to pick, I can’t believe you would take Lukebakio ahead of Godts, if it’s a player you’re going to use off the bench.
“Also, Romelu Lukaku has been good for Belgium as well. There’s no arguing with that. But he’s missed big chunks of this season. You know what they say, the best ability is availability.”
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Why Garcia may be public enemy No.1 at Ajax
While Godts took to social media to say he ‘respected the decision’, Brassell believes the winger’s absence from the world stage compromises Ajax’s negotiations.
“Ajax will be annoyed,” Brassell said.
“Because if he’d have gone and had a couple of good cameos at the World Cup, they could have knocked him out for an absolute fortune.
“I’m not sure people realise how good he is out there. When you look at the fact that there’s some really big wide players on the market this summer, you look at Said El Mala at FC Koln for example.
“Imagine El Mala and Godts both go this summer. El Mala will cost more.
“Because that is the way the market goes, it feels to people. I think that he has a higher ceiling. But Godts has produced and produced in a really rotten Ajax team.
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“And I think you have to give him enormous credit for that. It’s such a shame to not see him at the World Cup.”
Which Premier League clubs has Godts been linked with?
With Godts set to be a spectator for this year’s World Cup, it means Premier League clubs could immediately integrate him into their squads should they look to sign him.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle have been credited with an interest in the winger.
Brassell even made the left-field call for Coventry City to make a play for Godts, as Frank Lampard’s side look to avoid an instant return to the Championship.
