Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 07:41• Wessel Antes

Wim Kieft thinks that Cody Gakpo does not yet look ready for a major competition such as the Premier League, he states in his column in The Telegraph. Over the past week, Gakpo has been increasingly strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, while Leeds United has been mentioned frequently in the past. In between, Arsenal would also have been interested in the 23-year-old winger, who is still in Eindhoven until mid-2026.

Kieft argues that a move to the Premier League would be too big a step for Gakpo. “It is an open door that Gakpo is far from that. He has doubts about a transfer, but he does not look ready for a major competition like the English Premier League. It is better for his development if Gakpo stays at PSV for another year.” Gakpo played 27 Eredivisie games for PSV last season, in which he scored twelve times and provided thirteen assists.

In Eindhoven, the seven-time international has plenty of time to get used to having an important role, according to Kieft. That time is important, according to the analyst. “There he can play football in relative peace and get used to being expected to assert himself in big duels. It is a process of years to deliver on demand in important matches. As the greats can.” After the diptych against AS Monaco, Gakpo received a lot of criticism about his absence in both games.

Kieft also understands that Gakpo felt pressure against Monaco. “Gakpo wanted to showcase himself on the highest podium. Prove that he can help PSV with Champions League football and prove that he is ready for a transfer to, for example, Arsenal or Manchester United.” But he is not yet according to Kieft. “For the time being, the doubts remain and Gakpo still has to prove himself for a place with a top team. If Gakpo leaves now and it doesn’t go well or a club gets him to fill the selection, he will not benefit from that.”