Friday, March 5, 2021 at 10:04 AM• Yanick Vos • Last update: 10:07

Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk seems to be aiming for an international career in the shirt of the Dutch national team. National coach Roberto Martínez of Belgium late La Dernière Heure know that the Belgian-born Dutchman will not be called up for the next international period Red Devils because he leans towards the Dutch.

The 21-year-old Leeds United driver was born in Deurne, Belgium and has dual nationality. “It now seems that his heart is with the Netherlands. We have to respect that, no matter how interesting his profile is, ”Martínez said in the French-language newspaper. Despite this, the Spanish trainer still keeps the door ajar for the former Ajax youth player. “I don’t want to start a war between two football associations. He will therefore not be in my selection. But that does not mean that the file is closed.”

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Martínez had previously contacted Struijk by telephone about his choice between the Netherlands and Belgium. The Belgian Football Association confirmed in the media that the defender had started the procedure to apply for a Belgian passport. This made it seem that Struijk would choose Belgium. Because Martínez wants to rejuvenate his selection, an invitation came in March. However, it will not come to that, or so it sounds now.

Khalid Boulahrouz joined last month Rondo know that the Dutch national team is still too early for Struijk, even though Martínez was reportedly planning to invite the born Belgian to the international matches in March. “the Dutch comes too early”, emphasized the former the Dutch international. “I do think that he is a player who can develop more gradually as he plays more matches. But now? No.”

After this season, Struijk may make a transfer. He has himself according to The Telegraph played in the spotlight at Leicester City and Napoli. The number three in the Premier League and number six in the Serie A have already inquired about the services of Struijk, who has also been used as a controlling midfielder at Leeds this season.


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