Belgian international Hans Vanaken could do little with the criticism of Rafael van der Vaart after the Nations League match against the Netherlands last June (1-4 loss). Afterwards, Van der Vaart called Vanaken ‘a jack-of-all-trades’ and felt that he is usually much too much incensed. The thirty-year-old midfielder received the criticism, but did not care much about it. “I have already proven myself enough,” says Vanaken at the press conference in the run-up to the coming international match.
At the beginning of June, Van der Vaart was about the Netherlands that played Belgium off the mat in its own King Baudouin stadium. “What a fantastic performance. We were actually better in all positions”, the former the Dutch international exulted at the NOS. Vanaken (who only came into action for 45 minutes) was then beaten. “I only hear Vanaken, Vanaken, Vanaken. So he can’t do anything about it, a wooden claus,” says Van der Vaart.
In the run-up to the coming Nations League period, Vanaken will be asked about the analyst’s comments. “The fact that I was then criticized by Rafael van der Vaart did nothing to me. I put that aside. I have already proven myself enough,” says the 21-time international. However, he admits that he has had ‘not a good feeling’ from the defeat. “But we have recovered well. That must now be continued”, Vanaken refers to the three international matches that were played afterwards, two of which ended in a win and one was drawn.
Van der Vaart’s comments were in light of Ajax’s alleged interest in Vanaken. The Club Brugge midfielder did not rule out a reunion with ex-trainer Alfred Schreuder himself, as it turned out just before the duel with the Netherlands. “If Ajax comes? Then it is something to think about, yes. Anyway, the history of Ajax and the game they play, that is something that must suit me”, Vanaken noted at the program Eleven Insiders. The Belgian could prove Van der Vaarts wrong next Sunday, when the Red Devils taking on the Dutch national team for the Nations League in the Johan Cruijff ArenA.