As some of the England squad appear to be fighting against a wave of unfair criticism which doesn’t really exist, it’s a good job they’re not exposed to the words of elements of the Dutch media.
Joey Veerman has been absolutely destroyed by some there, after a poor performance against Austria saw him subbed off early. There was even a claim he should never play for the national side again.
Others in the Dutch squad have also faced criticism, but they’ve saved some, well, abuse for Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The Toffees stopper is one of England’s players who really can’t be questioned much for his role at Euro 2024 so far, but what has really caused annoyance was the Everton player… laughing.
And when we say annoyance, we actually mean mindless fury.
Dutch website FCUpdate quote pundit Johan Derksen as saying: “What really bothers me about that team is that terrible Everton goalkeeper. A goalkeeper with sagging socks, who looks like a goalkeeper from the sixth team of an amateur club.”
Wilfred Genee added: “Did you see how happy he was at the end, when he had that ball? It wasn’t good! He had to be admitted, that guy. He was lying there and I think he is not well anymore. Something happened, laughing gas?”
Derksen rounded it up with: “He has been behaving like this all year at Everton.”
Another Dutch website SoccerNews have compiled a harsh selection of comments from football fans in the Netherlands, slamming Pickford.
It all seems quite odd and over the top, and there’s a chance it may all date back to ill feeling from his collision with Virgil van Dijk, and the Liverpool defender’s subsequent injury.
Still, astonishing comments from professional pundits.
