Jeremie Frimpong gave Bayer Leverkusen the lead early on Saturday afternoon in the game against RB Leipzig. The attacking right wing defender, who, remarkably enough, is not in the pre-selection of the Dutch national team, appeared five meters from the goal in the 24th minute. On that spot, Frimpong was able to tap in Victor Boniface’s low cross: 1-0.
Frimpong already made a big impression on Leverkusen’s right wing last season and played a total of six times for the Dutch Juniors. The step to the Dutch national team seemed to follow in March 2022 when he was called up by Louis van Gaal for two exhibition games. Shortly before, however, he suffered a serious injury, so he could not report to the the Dutch squad. Frimpong was in the World Cup selection at the end of 2022, but did not receive any playing minutes.
???????????????? ???? Jeremie Frimpong puts Bayer Leverkusen ahead against RB Leipzig ???? ??? https://t.co/SnJh1Sf1aW#ViaplaySportNL #ViaplayFootball pic.twitter.com/2szFGcJ8Nq
— Viaplay Sport Netherlands (@viaplaysportnl) August 19, 2023
Ronald Koeman, Van Gaal’s successor, clearly does not see it in Frimpong. In March, the national coach explained why the right back was not included in the selection. “Especially defending, that raises doubts,” says Koeman. A final break seems to have arisen during the international match period in June. Koeman decided not to call up Frimpong for the the Dutch, so that the wingback could go to the European Under 21 Championship with the Dutch Juniors. Frimpong refused and went on vacation. “I don’t think that’s okay,” Koeman said. Frimpong will certainly not be there for the international period at the beginning of September, because he is already missing in the pre-selection.
Related
More sports news