Boudewijn Zenden thinks that Cody Gakpo can be of value to the Dutch national team at the European Championship next summer. As a PSV specialist trainer, the former football player is daily on the training field together with the 21-year-old winger and therefore knows his qualities like no other. Zenden knows why Gakpo is increasingly being put forward in the media as a candidate for the Dutch. “He is also a boy you would like to have with the Dutch,” he says.
The fact that Gakpo was sidelined with an ankle injury for several weeks after the winter break can now work in his favor, according to Zenden. “You can see that he is very strong, feels good about himself and really has something in the battery towards the end of the season,” says Zenden. The Telegraph. UEFA announced this week that due to the corona crisis, the European Championship selections will be expanded from 23 to 26 players. “I am definitely not going to sit in the chair of the national coach. But Cody is someone who, certainly with the three extra forgivable places in the selection because of the corona ailments, can force and break through something. With his kicking technique and crosses alone, for a possible plan B. Now that he is a constant value and important at PSV, he is also in the phase that he can start thinking towards the great the Dutch. ”
Gakpo says in the newspaper that he is happy with Zenden as a specialist trainer. Now points Bolo me just like trainer Ruud (Van Nistelrooij, ed.) on the two touch finish. Act very quickly. Assume in such a way that you can shoot right away, ”said Gakpo. “Bolo is really hammering on my left leg ”, continues the right leg about the collaboration with Zenden. “At first my shots were like turd, now at least I send them into the corner. Sometimes he also comes up with a fragment when I did something with the outside on the right again. “Look, if you just give these with links, then…” I know how much you can benefit from that at the top. I am very grateful to him that he is so involved with me, just like coach Ruud and Luc Nilis before. ”
According to Zenden, Gakpo quickly picks up many things that are presented by him. The former player of PSV and Barcelona, among others, thinks that the youth international has what it takes to go far. Gakpo has developed strongly in recent years, says Zenden. The attacker has also taken steps on the physical level. “But: what is power without control?“, says Zenden, who sees that Gakpo is also using his body more and more intelligently in duels.” You used to say about such a person: there is a good head on it. He does not let himself be fooled, he handles fame wisely. There are so many facets that have to be right if you really want to become a top player. Cody is on the right track in that respect. ” Gakpo, who celebrates his 22nd birthday on Friday, will be with PSV until the summer of 2025.