Rafael van der Vaart believes that Maarten Stekelenburg should become the first keeper of the Dutch national team. The Ajax keeper has been included by national coach Frank de Boer in the preliminary selection of the Dutch for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches later this month. Ibrahim Afellay expects the 38-year-old goalkeeper to be included in the final roster, which will be announced on Friday, March 19.
“Stekelenburg is particularly striking,” said Afellay on Sunday evening Studio Football about the preliminary the Dutch selection. “That’s not a guy you just bring in, so I think he’s just in the final selection. Of course you don’t include such an experienced boy to gain experience, right? I think this is a clear signal. Why else do you include him in the pre-selection? ”
Van der Vaart is impressed by the qualities of Stekelenburg, who at Ajax benefits from the suspension of André Onana. “Maarten is the best goalkeeper I have played with after Van der Sar. That guy’s all talent, you know Ibi also called ”, said the former Ajax player. “He was just never that serious, difficult to fathom. Really: if he keeps going like this, even if Cillessen starts playing more, then I think, and maybe everyone is laughing at me, I would always draw him up. Then I would make him the first goalkeeper. I think he is the best goalkeeper. ”
In addition to Stekelenburg, De Boer has also included Jasper Cillessen (Valencia), Tim Krul (Norwich City), Marco Bizot (AZ) and Joël Drommel (FC Twente) in his preliminary selection. “If you bring in Stekelenburg at such an age, you don’t do it to let him smell the big work. Then you bring him in to keep him permanently with the group. What Rafael also rightly says: in the past he has shown that he is a great goalkeeper. ”
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