Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 9:34 AM• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 09:45

Despite PSV’s volatility, Philipp Max is not yet very concerned. The left back, who was acquired last year, thinks it is logical that things are not always going well, given the many young players in trainer Roger Schmidt’s selection. Max also believes that the difference of six points with top team leader Ajax is a logical consequence of the financial differences between the two top clubs.

Max agrees with Football International that given last year’s investments, a lot can be expected from this PSV. “Certainly. But we also stand for clubs like Feyenoord, AZ and Vitesse. It is logical that we are second behind Ajax”, concludes the German wing defender after 23 games in the Eredivisie. Max then explains why he comes to this view. “Because they also have a very good team. They have more financial possibilities. The fact that they can get a good striker like Sébastien Haller for 22.5 million in the winter is an example of this.”

“Maybe logically it is not quite the right word. In the two duels that we have already played against them, it was already exciting”, Max refers to the 2-2 draw in competition and the 2-1 defeat against Ajax in the TOTO KNVB Cup. “They may have been better than us in more phases, but we were definitely not without a chance. In the cup match they were good for the first half hour, but we were also asleep. In the second half we did much better. Then I felt. that it is absolutely possible to win against Ajax “, Max does not give up the title fight in the Eredivisie. “Again, we are already doing better than PSV did last season.”

There are plenty of challenges for Max in 2021, because the left back can secretly hope for a place in the final European Championship selection of Germany. “Playing a European Championship or World Cup is the highest a footballer can achieve. My first international matches in November tasted for more. It went by quickly, it were three games in seven days. We won the first two games and my third (6- 0 against Spain, ed.) I don’t want to have too much of it anymore “, Max refers to the surprising debacle of the national team of Germany in Seville. The left back is nevertheless good with national coach Joachim Löw. “That is why the choice to go to PSV was a good one. Whether I will be there at the European Championship is still too early to say, there is a lot of competition”, the PSV defender concludes.