Rafael van der Vaart praised the development of Donyell Malen on Tuesday evening. The Borussia Dortmund striker, who returns to the Netherlands for the Champions League match against Ajax, is potentially ‘one of the best strikers in the world’, according to the former midfielder. Van der Vaart sees it as a golden move from Malen to continue his career at Dortmund, something he had also granted to Donny van de Beek.
Malen has had a mixed season at Dortmund so far, but has secured a base place in recent weeks. “It was difficult in the beginning, that’s why he didn’t always play,” says Van der Vaart Ziggo Sports. “But I think he has found his niche now and make no mistake, Malen is incredibly fast and agile. He has the potential to become one of the best strikers in the world, I am convinced. I think he has everything. The only criticism is that sometimes he misses an opportunity, which Haaland would make.”
‘Malen is going to be one of the best strikers in the world!’ ???@RafvdVaart is raving about the Dortmund striker and thinks he has made a perfect move from PSV ?? Is Malen potentially a world champion? ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #AJABVB pic.twitter.com/UVtpFTXf4j
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) October 19, 2021
According to Van der Vaart, it has been a golden opportunity for Malen to make the step from PSV to Dortmund. However, the striker is still waiting for his first goal in the Bundesliga in Germany. He already scored in the Champions League, in the home match against Sporting Portugal (1-0). “Dortmund is the best step he has been able to take,” said the analyst. “I would have given Donny van de Beek that too. Dortmund is top, but not the absolute top. From here you can go to a club like Real Madrid or Barcelona. I’m completely crazy about grinding.”
Erling Braut Haaland can also count on praise from Van der Vaart. “I must honestly say that I found it not that bad during the first times I saw him,” admits Van der Vaart. “But I started following him and it is amazing to watch. Virgil van Dijk even looks small with him. It is unbelievable, a primeval man. In the sixteen he is so deadly. When you are so fast and strong and you sit in a flowThen of course everything works. I think there is only one way to stop him and that is to kick him to death. Some players cannot be defended. “
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