Arnold Bruggink sees Mitchel Bakker as a candidate for European Championship participation with the Dutch national team. The left back was on the field for ninety minutes on Wednesday in the first semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City (1-2) in the Champions League. It surprises many that Bakker is active at such a high level, but just like Bruggink, Adri van Tiggelen also sees Bakker as a potential international.
“I think it is a good example for boys who dare to make different choices”, Bruggink says in conversation with the Algemeen Dagblad. According to the analyst of ESPN, the Netherlands ‘always thinks the Dutch way’ and that is not always the right way of thinking. “A career has to go neatly along the beaten track. But football is viewed very differently abroad. In the Netherlands, we often look at what players cannot do, but if it falls into place better for someone else, they can. you sometimes more than you think. “
Mitchel Bakker’s reaction after the defeat against Manchester City
According to Ruud Krol, who won the European Cup I three times with Ajax as left back and also played 83 international matches for the the Dutch, the the Dutch is still too early. “But he is young and youth can make mistakes. If he develops defensively, he can become international in the future.” Van Tiggelen thinks Bakker is already ready. “If you are drafted with such a team in the semi-finals of the Champions League, you should also be able to make it in the Dutch national team. He has everything needed to succeed: footballing qualities, running ability and he does not shy away from duels. . “
Bruggink points out that Bakker has remained under the radar for a long time after his move to France, while a player like Owen Wijndal can stand out in the Eredivisie every week. “But I also think that Frank de Boer keeps a close eye on Bakker. It would be crazy if he was passed over towards the European Championship”, the former attacker adds, however. Players such as Daley Blind, Patrick van Aanholt, Nathan Aké and even Tonny Vilhena have played in the left back position with the the Dutch in recent years. In the three World Cup qualifying matches that the Dutch played last month, De Boer invariably chose Wijndal.
Bakker’s performance was received mixed by the outside world. Both L’Equipe as The Guardian Bakker gave Bakker a 5 for his performance against Manchester City. Le Parisien was more positive and judged that ‘Mauricio Pochettino was rewarded for his surprising choice for Bakker as a left back’. The fullback had difficulties with his direct opponent Riyad Mahrez, especially in the second half. In addition, he was verbally attacked on the field by Neymar, who was not happy with the loss of the ball or wrong passes from his teammate.