Brighton and Hove Albion defender Joël Veltman has admitted he needs to be realistic about his international chances for the Netherlands as Ronald Koeman continues to ignore him.
The defender has been speaking to Soccer News ahead of his return to Ajax this evening with Brighton in the Europa League.
The Dutchman has been a regular for the Seagulls over the last few years, playing a key role in their recent success under Roberto de Zerbi too.
He is very much a key part of what they are doing on the south coast but despite that, he is yet to get recognition on the international level.
He has 28 appearances for the Netherlands after making his debut in November 2013 but hasn’t featured in a squad since Euro 2020.
Even then he only managed a two-minute appearance in the win over Ukraine after a run of seven games sat on the bench following a 90-minute appearance against Spain in November 2020.
He does not appear to be in Ronald Koeman’s thinking in any shape or form, something the Brighton man has resigned himself to accepting.
“It’s been a while since I was there,” he said.
“I know Koeman, he called me up a few times during the previous period when he was national coach. I am currently doing well at Brighton, and I can admit that.
“But when guys like Timber and De Ligt are injured and I still don’t get called up, you have to be realistic. Then it becomes a difficult story. But never say never. Maybe I’ll be there in the summer.”
