Valentijn Driessen considers Jerdy Schouten ripe for the Dutch team, based on his performance during PSV – Feyenoord (2-2). The head footballer of The Telegraph Schouten thought he was 'the best man on the field without competition', he wrote in his Monday column. Guus Til can also count on some positive words. Driessen even cautiously hints at an Oranje election for the midfielder.

Wherever Schouten played, PSV dominated, Driessen writes in his column. The left foot started in midfield, but replaced André Ramalho in the heart of the defense after an hour.

“There too, the 27-year-old international played flawlessly under the eye of national coach Ronald Koeman and was the best man on the field without competition. Whatever line Schouten was in: it was the PSV line that Feyenoord dominated at that moment.”

That is why Koeman must make a place available in his selection for Schouten. At least, that is Driessen's opinion. “He has now established himself nationally and internationally at PSV in such a way that Koeman can no longer ignore him.” Driessen is referring to the upcoming international match, but also the European Championship in Germany.

Despite the competition, Schouten should become one of the 23 names, provided they do well. The left leg would have to show 'the dominant version of himself'. “You can be a bit shy and timid the first time in a new group of players under a new national coach and watch the cat out of the tree; at the level of the Dutch team you have to present yourself self-confidently in order to be of added value,” says Driessen.

Til

Til also applied for a European Championship spot on Sunday, the journalist found. He saw the scoring substitute fester, harass and 'disrupt the Feyenoord build-up like crazy'; possess a package that none of the possible the Dutch candidates possesses.

“No potential international matches Til's qualities,” Driessen concludes. “Arne Slot regretted that Til was fit again for a substitute role. That should open Koeman's eyes with three pre-selected Dutch midfielders in the starting line-up at PSV – Feyenoord.”

Unlike Til, Schouten does have a chance of playing time with the Dutch team at the end of March. The latter is part of the pre-selection for the friendlies against Scotland (March 22) and Germany (March 26). Til was last in the final group in June 2022. He last played against Wales (1-2 win) on the eighth day of that year.

More sports news