Virgil van Dijk is 1st name on the Dutch national team, but Ronald Koeman warns his captain that things must be improved. The defender is battling with his form, according to the national coach.
Van Dijk is forewarned by Koeman: “It will have to be better.”
Van Dijk (31), who isn’t enjoying his finest season, was questioned at Studio Voetbal by Koeman on whether he still believes he belongs on the Dutch national team. The national coach’s telling response was, “Still”. “But it will need to be better,” he said. “We have a lot of centre defenders at our disposal.”
Van Dijk’s weakened performance has reasons, according to Koeman. “It’s clear that he was hurt. A November World Cup match, then a muscle and knee ailment… But I believe that the team he plays for is also a factor in his poorer performance. Virgil also saw less problems because Liverpool were notorious for pushing and winning balls in the middle of the pitch. The likelihood of mistakes has increased significantly, he noted.
Van Dijk has been criticised by Marco van Basten for some time, among other things for not acting like a true leader. Koeman is in denial. “Of course he can criticise, though,” the national coach stated. “I also have that on Virgil. I’ve always told you to presume that the player sitting next to you is making a mistake. The next step is to assess your performance. Am I accurately evaluating the situation? He may also need to enter the game more quickly and forcefully on occasion, but this causes him to hold his position for too long. I’ll talk about that with Virgil as well.”
Koeman suggests that Xavi Simons remain with PSV
According to Ronald Koeman, Xavi Simons would succeed if he played for PSV for at least another year. The elite prospect, who is twenty years old, is, in the opinion of the national coach, currently well positioned in Eindhoven at this point in his career.
A provision in Simons’ contract permits PSG to repurchase him for twelve million euros. Other elite European teams will take note of the PSV player’s strong performance.
Koeman claims that a transfer after this season is not required. He visited PSV on Wednesday and discussed his plans with Simons while there. “I’m not the best person to bring that up right now, but of course you bring it up. The national coach at Studio Voetbal emphasised the importance of certain actions for a player. “I believe that Xavi is a boy who carefully considers his options.
The most crucial thing is that he begins to play so you can make the most of that. Therefore, I believe it is best if he simply stays with PSV for another year.”
Koeman appreciates the growth Simons is undergoing. “As of right now, I mostly see him as a left side player for the Dutch national team. I believe he can advance to the number 10 spot,” the national coach remarked. “But right now, I consider him to be a left winger.”
