Yorbe Vertessen closed the calendar year well with PSV on Thursday evening with a business win against Go Ahead Eagles (2-0). The Belgian attacker received a basic place from Roger Schmidt, of which he is not always assured in Eindhoven. “If I don’t play, he has a reason,” Vertessen said afterwards ESPN.
Earlier this week, Vertessen was publicly advised by Luc Nilis to become ‘half a Dutchman’. The legend of PSV meant that his compatriot should stand up for his qualities. “I think I will still remain Belgian, but becoming a bit more vocal in doing so could be beneficial,” Vertessen admitted on Thursday evening after the game against Go Ahead. “I understand what he means: that I should be a little more straightforward.”
“I am also quite modest and let everything come to me. I see it all,” said Vertessen. “Of course I try to enforce as much as possible, but I find it difficult to stand up and say: ‘I want a starting place now.’ The Dutch are just straight forward, that is not in my nature. I try to do something about it. I used to be really too sweet, I let people walk all over me. I have now learned to stand my ground, but sometimes it’s not enough.”
Vertessen only had a base place in the Eredivisie three times this season and came in thirteen times. “I find it difficult to knock on the door of the trainer myself when I’m not playing,” said the fast attacker. “But usually he himself comes to me with the reason, and then I know what it is. That reassures me.” Despite the winter championship, Vertessen does not yet dare to say that PSV will be on the Stadhuisplein with the bowl in May. “But we are in very good shape and will do everything we can.”