Chelsea legend Eden Hazard has backed Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens following Belgium’s World Cup quarter-final exit to Spain, urging critics not to blame the 24-year-old for the defeat.
According to Metro, Lammens came on after first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered an injury. Belgium equalised through Charles De Ketelaere after Fabian Ruiz had opened the scoring for Spain, but a costly error by Lammens contributed to Belgium’s elimination.
“Senne is a great goalkeeper. He’s already proved that at club level and I’m sure he’ll prove it with the Red Devils soon enough. People shouldn’t be too hard on him,” Hazard said, adding that replacing “the best goalkeeper in the world” in a World Cup quarter-final was a difficult task.
Hazard also praised Belgium’s overall campaign, saying the team exceeded expectations despite missing out on the semi-finals.
Courtois echoed Hazard’s support, describing Lammens as “an excellent goalkeeper” with a bright future and insisting the mistake should not define him.
Lammens joined Manchester United from Royal Antwerp in an £18 million move last summer and impressed during his debut season, helping the club qualify for the UEFA Champions League. United will begin pre-season against Wrexham before opening their Premier League campaign against Hull on August 22.
