Ralf Seuntjens and De Graafschap are forced to make a statement on Tuesday. The 31-year-old attacker has been explicitly associated with a transfer to NAC Breda in recent days, according to BN DeStem even already in jugs and pitchers. The fact that Seuntjens is about to switch to a competitor in the battle for promotion at this stage of the season, is causing unrest in Doetinchem.
Football International reported on Sunday evening during the match between De Graafschap and FC Eindhoven (1-0) that Seuntjens and NAC were in ‘far-reaching negotiations’. “NAC is interested, I can confirm that. What I want? That is the question ”, said Seuntjens after that game in conversation with ESPN. The captain of De Graafschap did not have to think long when he was asked whether he would like to play in Breda. “Yeah right. I’m going to wait and see. I will hear more in a little while or later in the week. I cannot elaborate on it too much. But that NAC is a great club, that’s a fact. ”
The fact that Seuntjens was openly flirting with a competitor did not go down well with the supporters of De Graafschap. The number two of the Kitchen Champion Division comes through a video on Twitter with a reaction to the commotion surrounding Seuntjens. “My thoughts are still with De Graafschap and I want to get a PhD,” Seuntjens emphasizes in the video. “At ESPN I react a little too joyfully about the message from NAC and I forget to mention De Graafschap. When I think about it now, I should have said that I thought it was a strange question. ”
Both Ralf Seuntjens and general manager @hmostendorp provide a response to the current situation surrounding the attacker ???? pic.twitter.com/AmQg0bKNeP
– De Graafschap (@DeGraafschap) March 9, 2021
“We are fully engaged in the promotion campaign and NAC is a competitor to us. I have a contract until the end of June and for me everything is now focused on De Graafschap ”, Seuntjens continues. At the moment, De Graafschap occupies a place that immediately entitles it to a place in the Eredivisie, but the closest pursuer NAC follows on four points. The team of trainer Mike Snoei can secure the third period title with a victory over Telstar on Friday.
Seuntjens understands that there has been a commotion. “Especially because NAC is a competitor. This makes it a hot item. If it had been a different club, they might have said, “Okay, fine, he’ll close it off nicely here first.” I really see De Graafschap talking as a great club and will never talk negatively about the club, no matter what decision is taken ”, the attacker said. “I understand that to the fans it came across as if I am a rotten apple within the selection. I’m going to give everything for the club as long as possible. ”
Seuntjens would accept a possible sanction from the club, but general manager Hans Martijn Ostendorp says that the attacker will ‘just’ remain with the selection until the end of the season. After a conversation with technical manager Peter Hofstede, head coach Mike Snoei, the rest of the technical staff and the players’ council, it was decided not to impose a sanction. At the same time, it is announced that Seuntjens will leave De Graafschap at the end of the season. “We were surprised by the interview at ESPN and the scope of it. Seuntjens has shown to this day that he will do everything he can to go to the Eredivisie together with De Graafschap. We believe in him. ”
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