Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has insisted he’s not trying to put himself in the spotlight to ensure he is the Netherlands’ number one at Euro 2024.
The goalkeeper has been speaking to Voetbal International, relayed by Soccer News, about his current situation as he battles Brentford’s Mark Flekken for the number one role in Ronald Koeman’s squad.
He’s been competing with Flekken for the best part of a year for that status with the Oranje, with Koeman yet to commit to either player.
Koeman is keeping a consistent eye on their performances in the Premier League, with it explained that he’ll have watched the recent clash between Brighton and Brentford with delight as both goalkeepers impressed.
For most, Verbruggen would be the obvious choice given his age and performances to date, with Brighton and even Anderlecht before his move last summer.
Verbruggen isn’t going out of his way to do that, though, insisting he is only focused on being reliable, not a star performer or someone doing something flash to earn attention.
“You can’t go into a match thinking you’re going to make ten saves to show yourself,” he said.
“That is the wrong mindset. You shouldn’t want to over-prove yourself. Then you start making stupid choices. I do go into every match with the conviction to show how good I am. You have to seize the opportunities you get.
“I know the situation and I know that the choice has not yet been made. After every international match, I analyse with the goalkeeper coach what went well and what needs to be improved. I wouldn’t call it a quest, but you are always working on your development.
“Every match provides moments from which you can learn. That is a process that runs throughout your entire career.
“Ultimately it is the coach who decides whether what you have shown is good enough. We have to wait. In any case, I have not yet been told who will be the goalkeeper at the European Championship.”
