Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Mats Wieffer has admitted he was shocked to be a part of the Netherlands squad for this international break.
The Dutchman has been speaking at training ahead of this international break, with his comments relayed by Soccer News.
The 24-year-old was not initially a part of Ronald Koeman’s plans for this break, when the Netherlands take on Hungary and Germany in the Nations League.
However, an injury to Jerdy Schouten meant that he withdrew, opening up a space for the Brighton summer signing to be called up and fill in.
That’s something he never saw coming after a slow start to life with the Seagulls thanks to an injury at the beginning of the season.
“I was a bit surprised, but when Schouten dropped out, I hoped that I would be there,” he said.
“The past period was a bit difficult. I started at Brighton with an injury, but it’s all going well.”
Atletico Madrid were keen on him last year and Liverpool had even been credited with an interest as they sought out a new defensive midfielder.
Wieffer wasn’t interested in those moves, though, and instead elected to join Brighton as part of their major rebuild this summer.
He’s since insisted that he felt Brighton was the right place for him to develop and perhaps join a bigger club in future, a point he is keen to reinforce.
“I have only been here for a relatively short time, but so far it has been what I expected,” he added.
“I have already played in beautiful stadiums, for example at Chelsea and Everton where I felt a lot of history. I haven’t played in other competitions, so I can’t compare. What I see here is beautiful.
“The picture they painted convinced me. They wanted to get me for a longer period. The club wants to invest and compete with the big teams. I believe that is possible, when we are in good shape. I also spoke to Bart Verbruggen, and he told me good things about the way of playing and what it is like to live there. It is relatively close to home and in a good place in England.”
