Luuk de Jong injured his ankle against RKC Waalwijk (0-1 win), but the PSV striker does not expect to be out of circulation for long. De Jong is naturally happy with the three points that his team takes from the Mandemakers Stadium, but also blames his team. “We created a lot of chances, then you have to finish it,” said De Jong ESPN.
De Jong dropped out in the 56th minute of the match with an ankle injury. “It’s a bit thick,” says the 32-year-old attacker afterwards. “I hope it’s not too bad and I actually expect it too. The field became a bit uneven and when I clapped through it. A moment of getting lost. I can still walk now, sure.”
PSV knew that it could be difficult with the fellow provincial from Waalwijk. “RKC is just playing good football this season,” says De Jong. “A lot of teams are having a hard time here. Then you try to dominate here. In the first half I thought we did well. Then we have to reward ourselves a bit more, unfortunately we didn’t. If you don’t score two or three extra goals then it remains difficult. Then you see that RKC is trying to take the initiative and then it becomes even more dangerous and it can become a draw. We often lost the ball too quickly, you really have to watch out for that.”
De Jong surprised this week by thanking the Dutch national team. “Since my debut in 2011, I have had very good years with the the Dutch squad,” he explains. “I have played European Championships and a World Cup. I am also getting older, also physically. Now I can fully focus on PSV. I have two young children, which is also important to me. I don’t always play either. I am always with a lot of honor came out for the Dutch national team. We have a fantastic group, but I think I have to choose myself now. I think focus on PSV and my family is more important now.” He has not yet identified a ‘new Luuk de Jong’. “Wout Weghorst can of course do it fantastically, we have seen that. Other than that I haven’t really seen anyone yet, but who knows soon.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s reaction
Ruud van Nistelrooij, PSV’s trainer, saw a similar match as his captain De Jong. “We should have been leading 2-0 or 3-0 at half-time, then you make it a lot easier for yourself,” said the PSV trainer, who also gave an update on the injuries at PSV. “De Jong has broken his ankle. We have to look at that.” Guus Til and Mauro Júnior were not there at all in Waalwijk. “Til has an ankle injury”, continues Van Nistelrooij. “We hope to get them back soon. Mauro needs to be examined further. That could be a longer-term injury.”