Alongside him, most people would like to see Anderlecht's Walter Baseggio, 23.
That is the Baseggio of the 2000-2001 season, when "Les Mauves" rampaged through Europe, rather than the current model.
Baseggio - whose parents are Italian - is looking a little sluggish since his comeback from injury and critics say he spends too much time discussing a possible move to Serie A.
That said, an on-form Baseggio could make a huge difference to the Belgium midfield.
In attack, the odds are improving on the Mpenza brothers joining forces.
But it's more likely that the elder Mpenza, Mbo, will shadow Verheyen on the right while young Emile does his thing up the middle.
They came to the fore with Excelsior Mouscron in 1997 and moved somewhat acrimoniously to Standard Liege.
Goals and caps followed until January 2000, when the brothers took different directions - Mbo to Sporting Lisbon, Galatasaray (and subsequent oblivion) and Emile to the Bundesliga's Schalke 04 (and fame and fortune).
Mbo, now 25, returned to Belgium in December and is a man with something to prove.