Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans made his comeback from injury in the 2-0 victory over West Ham United
Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans
Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans(Image: Getty)
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Youri Tielemans’ commitment and consistently high standards are key factors behind the Aston Villa ace linking up with his country, according to his agent.
The midfielder has only just returned from a significant lay-off due to an ankle injury. He made his comeback from off the bench in Villa’s 2-0 win over West Ham United before the international break.
The Belgium national team agreed to Villa boss Unai Emery’s request to manage Tielemans’ game time during the current round of international fixtures. Bob Claes, the 28-year-old’s representative, has now explained why the decision was made for his client to report for duty.
Referencing Tielemans being his country’s captain, he told Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws (via Sport Witness): “There are people who don’t need the captain’s armband to be a leader, and there are others who have the armband but never will be one. Youri belongs to the first category.
“Being allowed to wear that armband is a source of immense pride for Youri. He takes that role very seriously.”
Claes also pointed to Tielemans’ popularity within the squad. He added: “Because the person behind the footballer is very well-raised.
“Youri sets the bar high. In terms of standards and values. In terms of work ethic. And in terms of intelligence.
“A dream to work with. Youri constantly seeks improvements but is also open to dialogue.”
Tielemans made his first appearance for two months when he played the final 23 minutes against the Hammers. It remains to be seen what involvement he has for Belgium against the USA today and in Wednesday’s friendly against Mexico, with both games taking place in the United States.
In his pre-match press conference prior to the West Ham clash, Emery was asked whether he was comfortable with the player travelling to America so soon after recovering from his ankle problem.
“The national team for them is very important. And he's very intelligent,” Emery said of Tielemans at the time. “His commitment with us is a huge commitment, and he's recovering just to play some minutes on Sunday with us and to go with his national team.
“And, of course, I accepted it and I want as well, to give him the opportunity to go now with his national team. For him, it’s very important.
“And just with him, in October or November, after he was coming back, being injured, it was the same situation. He went with the national team after, he was getting some minutes after his injury, and going with his national team to play there, their minutes as well.
“We spoke between the club and the national medical teams responsible, to introduce him progressively. And he did fantastic.
“Youri Tielemans is intelligent and his commitment here with us is a massive commitment to do everything we want. Of course, I spoke with him and I got the deal before and I got the deal now to do his progressive comeback in the right way with us and with the national team.”
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