Devyne Rensch has been called up to the Dutch national team by national coach Louis van Gaal. The decision of the choice lord to bring the Ajax talent to the final the Dutch selection is striking, as the defender under trainer Erik ten Hag is currently on the bench. Rensch thinks he knows how it is that he has been invited for the coming international match despite his reserve role.
Rensch broke through at Ajax last season. It led to a debut in the Dutch Juniors at the European Championship against Young Germany. Fifteen minutes before the end, he came in as a substitute in the 1-2 lost game. “I think that Mr. Van Gaal studied me well last season and would like to see me at work,” Rensch explains his own appeal in conversation with The Telegraph. In the interview, the defender says that it is to his advantage that he can play in multiple positions. Rensch has so far played under Ten Hag as a right and left back and in midfield.
Van Gaal: ‘I will not select unfit players, except those boys’
“He can play left and right, that doesn’t really matter to him,” said Van Gaal on Friday at the press conference about Rensch. The trainer said that he selects his players based on four ‘key moments’: “Moments in possession, transition to loss of possession, loss of possession and transition to possession. His behavior (that of Rensch, ed.) in the four main moments was the deciding factor.”
Rensch has to deal with competition from Noussair Mazraoui and Nicolás Tagliafico on the back positions at Ajax. “I fight for my place every day. And then it’s up to the trainer whether he drafts me or not. My advantage is that I can be deployed in multiple positions. Moreover, it will be a long and busy season. So my chances will come. I showed what I can do last season, because I also stood my ground in Europe. The trainer knows that I will be there if I have to,” said Rensch.
The final selection of the Dutch national team:
Target: Joël Drommel (PSV), Tim Krul (Norwich City), Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord)
Defense: Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Tyrell Malacia (Feyenoord), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Jurriën Timber, Daley Blind, Devyne Rensch (all Ajax)
Midfield: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Georginio Wijnaldum (Paris Saint-Germain), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax), Guus Til (Feyenoord), Teun Koopmeiners (AZ)
Attack: Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur), Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Wout Weghorst (VfL Wolfsburg) and Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund).