Wessel Antes
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Rafael van der Vaart wants to see AZ controller Jordy Clasie in the Dutch national team, the former international analyst says in Studio Football. The 32-year-old midfielder from AZ was one of the standouts on the Alkmaar side during the victory over Ajax (2-0). Although Clasie has already resigned from the Dutch team, Van der Vaart thinks he is 'normally' available during the European Championships in Germany.
Pierre van Hooijdonk enjoyed the Haarlem veteran on Sunday. “Clasie was the Napoleon of AZ, in aggressiveness and showing what you are up to. He had so many interceptions. He hardly gets into trouble in positional play anyway.” Thanks to the victory, AZ is number four, no less than six points ahead of closest pursuer Ajax.
According to Van Hooijdonk, Clasie played almost the perfect match against Ajax. “He single-handedly chased Ajax and did not shy away from tackles. The follow-up is always good for him. The fact that he always plays to the same color seems simple, but that is oh so difficult.” Clasie had a passing accuracy of 91 percent against Ajax.
Van der Vaart wants to see Clasie at the European Championships. “He is the best next to Frenkie de Jong,” said the analyst. Clasie, a seventeen-time international for the Dutch national team, indicated at an earlier stage that he was no longer available for his country. The midfielder was last in the selection of the Dutch national team in March 2022. The last international match in which he played dates back to November 9, 2016, when the Dutch drew 1-1 against Belgium at home.
Still, Van der Vaart thinks that Clasie would still want to go to the European Championships. “He is one hundred percent available for the Dutch team. He can do both: take the ball and also play the ball. With him, Frenkie and Reijnders you have a fantastic midfield. With Veerman it's either Frenkie or Veerman, I think.”
Call from Koeman
Clasie received a call from national coach Ronald Koeman at the end of last year. Opposite ESPN the midfielder revealed the outcome of that conversation. “I spoke to him, he wanted to call me up after some injuries. We had an honest and open conversation about this.”
“I feel that my body needs to rest during these periods,” says Clasie. “Then I can fully recharge for these types of competitions. The national coach respected and accepted that.”
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