Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 11:56 PM• Mart van Mourik

Jasper Cillessen reacted on Tuesday to the fact that he is in the the Dutch selection. The Valencia goalkeeper was kept out of the Dutch national team just before the start of the European Championship 2020 by then national coach Frank de Boer. A positive corona test was the direct reason for the decision, De Boer said. Since then, the closing item has not been called up, but after the cancellations of Tim Krul and the sick Joël Drommel, national coach Louis van Gaal Cillessen has still been included in the selection.

“I’m doing well, and I’m happy to be back,” Cillessen told Our the Dutch. “It’s nice to be back in the squad, because it took a while. It was a surprise to me that I got a call, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. It’s a bit less for Joël, but for me it’s nice after a somewhat lesser period. The club started the season a little less due to a small injury. Now I am happily playing again and things are going in the right direction. Let’s hope I can continue this line,” said the goalkeeper.

Earlier in the day, Van Gaal explained the motivations for calling up Cillessen, and also explained his role within the team. “We generally have very good contact with the players, including Jasper,” said Van Gaal when asked about Cillessen’s reaction when he heard that he was not there in the first place. “That Joël has become ill is of course fantastic for him. He was also the first to arrive this morning. There is constant consultation between Frans Hoek and the keepers. I have not heard a bad word about that.”

“I think Jasper Cillessen is above Drommel,” continued Van Gaal. “But Cillessen was injured. But he was and is coming back. I attribute many qualities to Cillessen. Drum is for the future. I am national coach for the present, but also for the future.” According to Van Gaal, it is not self-evident that Cillessen is now at the back of the row with goalkeepers. “We have spoken with him and explained to him that he is number three at the moment,” said the national coach, who designates Justin Bijlow and Mark Fleks as first and second goalkeepers respectively.