Justin Kluivert looks good in the outfit of OGC Nice. The 22-year-old attacker is fit again after a period of injury, plays an important role in coach Christophe Galtier’s plans and in the Ligue 1 ranking, the southern French club must only give Paris Saint-Germain priority. Kluivert was a guest in the program via a video connection on Monday evening Rondo by Ziggo Sports and was also asked questions about the Dutch national team and his relatively quick departure from Ajax. It was Marco van Basten who broached the last subject.
“It goes well. I’m happy and the most important thing is that I stay fit,” emphasized Kluivert, who was sidelined for some time due to injuries. “That was a false start, but it’s starting to look like it now.” The attacker was even named Player of the Month by the fans of OGC Nice in December. “Was it right? I think I can do even better, but for the supporters it was good enough for that month.”
?? Justin Kluivert on the line! Our compatriot is doing well in the south of France! ???? ‘If the national coach calls if I want to be a right winger… Immediately! But I’m just focusing on Nice now, I want flames here.’ ??#RONDO #ZiggoSport pic.twitter.com/KRgJKiiSYd
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) January 10, 2022
OGC Nice rents Kluivert from AS Roma and has an option to buy. Kluivert, good for two hits and three assists in twelve games in all competitions, does not know how the construction works exactly. “I can see how everything goes,” said the attacker, who was previously loaned to RB Leipzig by the Serie A club. “I’m not too concerned about that. Would I like to stay with OGC Nice? Yes. At the moment yes. I play everything, I feel good and we are doing well as a team. Why not?”
‘Before I extend my term at Ajax, that perspective must first be expressed’
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The presence of compatriots such as Calvin Stengs and Pablo Rosario is also a nice side effect. “And life is beautiful here too. Nice is a beautiful city. But if you play football every week, it doesn’t matter where you live.” OGC Nice is in joint second place, but with no less than eleven points less than leader Paris Saint-Germain. “We all know that PSG will be champions. But we fight for the best possible result. We’re doing well now. Just keep going and don’t stop.”
Kluivert played two international matches for the Dutch national team in the past. Although he plays left winger at OGC Nice, the former Ajax player knows that national coach Louis van Gaal often mentions that right wingers are sparse. “When the national coach calls if I want a right winger… Immediately! We all know that,” Kluivert responded with a smile. “I also played right winger. But now I’m focusing on OGC Nice. If it ever comes, that’s wonderful. Playing for your country is the most beautiful thing there is. You just have to do well at your club and then things like that will come naturally.”
Van Basten asked Kluivert where he would be in his career if he had stayed with Ajax. After all, the attacker left for AS Roma at the age of nineteen, after 56 matches in the first. Kluivert didn’t have an answer so quickly and searched for words. Van Basten: “Would you have played in the Dutch national team then?” Kluivert: “That could have been done, yes.” Van Basten: “I think so too.” Kluivert: “It’s hard to say.” Van Basten pointed out to Kluivert that Ajax continued to make progress in Europe afterwards. “Ajax has had good years. Then you could have shown more in Europe. What is wisdom?”
“Regret is something else”, Kluivert defended his choice. “You don’t know how it would have gone if I had stayed with Ajax.” Van Basten: “I think you would have been a regular base player for the Dutch national team.” Kluivert: “I hope it will happen someday. That’s what we’re going for.”