Frank de Boer is not taking Jasper Cillessen to the European Championship anyway, the KNVB reports. The the Dutch goalkeeper tested positive in a PCR control last week and then went into self-isolation. De Boer informed Cillessen on Tuesday morning that he cannot include the goalie in the final selection list, which must be submitted to UEFA today. Marco Bizot, who had previously been added to the group of players as the fourth goalkeeper in view of the Portuguese training camp, is now part of the official European Championship selection.
“I informed Jasper of my decision this morning,” said Frank de Boer. “Let me start by saying that I find this incredibly unpleasant for Jasper. But I had to take the plunge. He is known to have tested positive for corona. As a result, he missed an important part of the preparation. We don’t know how long it will take until he is 100 percent fit again. I don’t want to take any chances in that regard. We are on the eve of a European Championship and I want certainty, however I think it is for Jasper. I find it very sad for Jasper, I actually have the most to do with it. But I do think it is justified. He wouldn’t make it to the first game anyway, and you don’t know what else it does in your body. I now have three fit players at my disposal. “
De Boer hinted at the press conference on Wednesday that Cillessen would in principle be his first goalkeeper at the European Championship. According to the national coach, the Valencia keeper should prove himself in preparation for the tournament. De Boer will now make a choice between Tim Krul and Maarten Stekelenburg. Krul, who promoted to the Premier League with Norwich City, played the three World Cup qualifying matches for the the Dutch squad in March. Cillessen was absent due to an injury, while Stekelenburg was on the bench as a reserve. Bizot will in all probability act as the third goalkeeper.
Cillessen would start his second final round, after the former goalkeeper of Ajax and Barcelona had previously been active with the Dutch at the 2014 World Cup. Under Louis van Gaal, Cillessen was the first choice under the bar. Remarkably, he was taken to the side in the quarterfinals against Costa Rica (0-0) just before time to let Krul keep the penalty shootout. The latter then dragged the Dutch national team through the penalty series (4-3).
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