At the Stade de France on Monday night, Mika Godts is set to arrive with a rhythm he has not yet found in Paris. The 21-year-old PSG winger is expected to make a fourth successive start for Belgium against France in the Nations League, turning an unexpectedly demanding international window into an opportunity to strengthen his standing at club level.
Key takeaways
- Godts is expected to start Belgium’s Nations League match against France at 20:45 on Monday.
- The PSG left winger has already played 248 minutes during this international break, compared with 144 minutes for his club this season.
- He scored in Belgium’s 2-0 victory over Italy on 25 September.
- Belgium coach Mark Van Bommel has praised Godts’ initiative, self-correction and rapid development since leaving the Netherlands.
- Injuries and absences among Belgium’s wide options have opened the door for Godts to establish himself.
A demanding window becomes a chance
Godts has started each of Belgium’s last three matches: the win over Italy, a 1-0 defeat to France on 28 September, and Friday’s 3-0 victory against Turkey. Another place in the starting side in Saint-Denis would take his run to four in a row.
It is a sharp contrast with his early season at PSG. The former Ajax attacker has accumulated 104 more minutes with Belgium in this single international gathering than he has managed for the French champions so far. In Paris, competition on the left side of attack remains fierce, and Godts has had to be patient following his arrival.
For Belgium, circumstances have helped create space. Jérémy Doku is injured, while Leandro Trossard was unavailable for the first two fixtures. Malick Fofana did not feature in the squad for the games in Italy and Brussels, then came on only in the 82nd minute against Turkey in Liège.
Godts has nevertheless earned the confidence of Van Bommel, who followed the winger closely during his Eredivisie years. The Belgium coach said the player had produced “three good games” and should continue to take risks, even after losing possession on several occasions.
“There were moments when I could not correct his poor decisions, but he always put them right himself,” Van Bommel said. “He has been very good in the way he has taken initiative. His progress has been enormous since his final season in the Netherlands.”
Van Bommel pointed to Godts’ goal against Italy as evidence of his current level, highlighting the way he beat several opponents, changed direction and sent a defender sliding. The coach added that the winger must keep working hard to reach the highest standard.
France test awaits on the left
Belgium’s instruction to Godts is uncomplicated: keep driving at defenders. The physical cost has been visible, particularly against Turkey, when he continued to attack but found fewer openings as the match went on.
Godts accepted that the schedule has been intense but insisted he is ready. “The matches are very demanding, that is true, but I am prepared to play,” he said on Sunday at the Stade de France. “When I was 16 or 17, I realised that hard work was necessary.”
His run with the Red Devils is both a test and a possible route towards greater credibility at PSG, the reigning two-time European champions. Godts has set himself the longer-term ambition of reaching the level of club colleague Désiré Doué.
“I need time because I have only just arrived in Paris,” he said. “It is a very, very big club. I am calm. I am trying to learn from the best, show confidence and give everything. I know I will reach his level.”
Against France, Godts could be asked to unsettle Jules Koundé or Jérémy Jacquet from the left. Belgium are expected to defend in a low or medium block before attacking quickly after recoveries, with Godts and Dodi Lukebakio providing the pace in the wide areas.
