‘Maybe it was a double-bluff’ – Roberto Martinez respond to De Bruyne’s comments on the squad being “too old”

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has not been able to fully get going for Belgium amid two tepid performances from the side.

Fingers are being pointed at De Bruyne. Belgium now have to beat group F leaders Croatia in their next game to have any hope of qualifying for the last 16.

De Bruyne performed well below his usual standards in both games and has cut an unhappy figure in Qatar.

When he was asked in the build-up to the clash with Morocco whether the Red Devils could win the World Cup, he tellingly answered: “No chance – we’re too old.”

Responding to De Bruyne’s comments on the squad being “too old”, Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez said: “This is the first time I’ve heard those comments.

“At a World Cup players have to speak to the media every day, 90 per cent of it will be positive but there are always one or two lines that don’t fit into the context.

“We are all professionals and we know how to perform. A player is allowed to air their view. We’ve been together for six years now and comments won’t help us to win. Maybe it was a double-bluff. It’s what happens behind the scenes that matters.”