The Dutch press really needs to decide what they think of Newcastle United summer signing Sean Steur.
At this moment in time, they simply keep switching between star in the making and overpriced Premier League youngster.
This week, the opinion seems to be that he’s a star of the future and should be playing all the time. Or, at least, he should be playing for the Netherland’s youth side consistently.
Steur is with the Jong Oranje during this international break, recently making his debut as a second half substitute.
He wasn’t particularly fussed about that, insisting in comments after the game that he was simply looking forward as much as possible.
“Making my debut is nice, but that’s not really what’s on my mind right now,” the Newcastle midfielder told Sportniuews.
Questions asked
His debut came in the 0-0 draw with Norway last week. The Dutch journalists Valentijn Driessen and Mike Verweij were watching that game closely.
And they were left baffled that the Newcastle man wasn’t a starter, particularly as he headed into the international break in good form.
“It was a woeful performance, failing to win there. You even had Zechiël available,” Driessen said on De Telegraaf’s Kick Off podcast.
“But what I also found striking was that Sean Steur – who is making an excellent impression at Newcastle United and was substituted to a standing ovation just three or four days before the U21 match – simply didn’t start. Some of Reiziger’s choices are baffling.”
Verweij agrees, pointing to previous decisions made by Reiziger.
“Reiziger was the one who didn’t take Meerdink along back then, too. He also had to pull Valente back from his holiday for the European Championship.”
Contradiction
That decision is particularly eyebrow raising giving Reiziger, the Netherlands U21 boss, has been nothing short of glowing when it comes to the Newcastle youngster.
“Sean is the kind of player you don’t see very often,” he said about the Newcastle man last week.
“He reads the game, has driven, is composed on the ball, and can really take charge of the game.
“I saw that at Ajax last year, too. He would direct other players, knowing that if they stood in a certain spot, it would free him up elsewhere. Seeing him orchestrate things like that is wonderful to watch.”
Now, it seems the likes of Driessen and Verweij want to know why a man offering such praise, isn’t starting Steur in his team. On this case, they might have a point.
