Marco van Ginkel will be the captain of PSV next season, the Eindhoven club announced on Tuesday. The midfielder will take over the captaincy from Denzel Dumfries, who is expected to make the switch to Everton shortly. Trainer Roger Schmidt has also decided to appoint Cody Gakpo as reserve captain for the 2021/22 season.
Schmidt came during the press conference on Tuesday afternoon in the run-up to the home game with Galatasaray on Wednesday evening with the news that Van Ginkel is his new captain. “Whether the man next to me is my new captain? Yes, we decided that a few days ago,” clarifies Schmidt. “Marco has done well here before (as captain, ed.), has also won the championship as captain and is now fit again after a long-term injury. I’m glad he’s back on the field. It’s a great choice, I’m very happy with it.”
Our captain this season???????#ForwardPSV pic.twitter.com/IllFVROs7M
— PSV (@PSV) July 20, 2021
The PSV coach also consciously chooses Gakpo as reserve captain. “We also decided that a few days ago. He is a boy from Eindhoven and from PSV. He has developed tremendously here and has even grown into an international player. He has passion for this club and love for this club. So the choice is fell on these two guys,” said Schmidt. It has also become clear that the new captain will be part of the PSV player council, as well as Gakpo, Nick Viergever, Mario Götze and Ramalho. Van Ginkel was already confronted with the captaincy in Eindhoven last week after the exhibition game with PAOK Saloniki (1-0 win).
“Are you going to take that band off?” he asked ESPNpresenter Milan van Dongen to Van Ginkel after the press conference. The midfielder then answered with a smile on his face. “No idea, we’ll see.” Van Dongen then stated that Van Ginkel is ‘one of the designated leaders’ within the PSV selection. “Yes, you could. I mean, you already have some experience at this club and also just in your career. I also think I’m one of those players who have the qualities to lead a team.”
“Not necessarily to be captain, but also to be busy with the young guys. To create something and to achieve something. I think if everyone wants that we can do a lot and achieve something beautiful this year “, added the ambitious Van Ginkel. Schmidt also gave his opinion on the possible appointment of Van Ginkel as the new captain in the Philips Stadium. “He is the type who can be a captain. But there is no final decision yet. Next week we will see how we fill it in.” It is now known that Van Ginkel will take on the role of captain.