Even after ‘the finger’, Ruud Gullit still does not understand that Kenneth Taylor is going to the World Cup. After his two goals against FC Emmen on Saturday (3-3), the Ajax midfielder held a telling index finger to his mouth, with which he seemed to be responding to Gullit’s criticism the day before. The former international then expressed his preference for Joey Veerman.
Taylor is going to Qatar, while Veerman was not even part of Louis van Gaal’s 39-man pre-selection. Gullit does not understand that, he said on Friday at the Ziggo Sports Football Café. “I was also surprised that Taylor was there. I’ve seen Taylor in important matches, in the Champions League. In my opinion, he didn’t play well there. And I thought it was strange that Veerman was not in the pre-selection. Then I think to myself: that boy has shown something at PSV. Also at European level. That surprises me,” said Gullit.
Kenneth Taylor shows himself in Emmen with two goals and an assist! ?
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) November 12, 2022
When Gullit’s statements are added on Monday Rondo be brought up, presenter Bas van Veenendaal asks him about ‘the finger’. “Do you feel addressed?” Gullit bursts into laughter. “If that were the case: you score twice against Emmen, and you’re going to do this…”, the single Ballon d’Or winner begins. Van Veenendaal suggests that Gullit may have “set Taylor on edge.” “Well, good for him,” says Gullit. “But it’s still my opinion.”
Taylor was in the final selection of the the Dutch for the first time last Nations League period. The born Alkmaarder came in as a substitute in both the game against Poland (0-2 win) and Belgium (1-0 win). Veerman was also in Van Gaal’s pre-selection for the first time for the same international match period. The PSV player did not survive the selection alone. It did not come to a halt for Veerman.