Friday, September 30, 2022 at 2:16 PM• Mart Oude Nijeweeme • Last update: 14:32

Arne Slot is not at all concerned about Justin Bijlow’s motivation. The Feyenoord goalkeeper was ignored by Louis van Gaal and was only allowed to report for the penalty tests. According to Slot, who was asked about his pupil during the press conference on Friday, Bijlow will have to show himself in the coming weeks to secure a place in the World Cup selection.

Slot is not worried about players who may hold back with a view to the World Cup. “I’m not too worried about that, because unfortunately there aren’t many internationals with us who are eligible to play the World Cup. We have quite a lot, but those countries are not qualified in most cases. But if players like a “If you want to play in the World Cup, in addition to being fit, they also have to perform well. I think that’s just a trigger. I can’t look at that negatively, unless you put too much pressure on yourself and forget to enjoy yourself.”

One of the journalists then quotes Bijlow’s name. The goalkeeper hopes to be called up for the Dutch national team in November. “He has turned out to be injury prone. That could be such a player,” it sounds. “When you mentioned his name, I thought there was going to be another difficult question,” Slot replies. “But luckily you start about his injury sensitivity. Because that is not so bad. He has been fit all season from the moment he has keepered the final. Justin has had to deal with a disappointment that he was not part of the selection.”

According to Slot, Bijlow has ‘a lot of energy’ to assert himself at Feyenoord in the coming weeks in the hope of still going to the World Cup. “He was still allowed to report and, like a number of other guys, he was off for a few days. As a result of his performance at Feyenoord, he can be called up. That has to be the order. I am certainly happy with Justin Bijlow, yes.” Slot is preparing with Feyenoord for a busy period. The team from Rotterdam play eleven games in six weeks (seven Eredivisie, four Europa League). On Sunday, Feyenoord will face NEC for the first time.