Robin Roefs should be the starting goalkeeper for the Netherlands this summer, thanks to his performances for Sunderland this season.
That’s according to analyst Johan Derksen. He’s been singing the Sunderland star’s praises again this week, relayed by Voetbalzone.
Roefs has, undoubtedly, been one of the signings of the Premier League season so far. He joined Sunderland in a €10m deal from NEC Nijmegen in the summer, one of their less high-profile arrivals.
But that fee has looked like a bargain since. He quickly established himself as number one at the Stadium of Light and hasn’t looked back since.
He currently holds his own among the elite shot-stoppers in the league. He has the best save percentage of any goalkeeper in the league and ranks highly in goal prevention. He is also sixth in the race for the Golden Glove.
Those impressive numbers, though, are yet to earn him international recognition. He is yet to make his debut for the Netherlands, despite being called up in September. Instead, he has sat on the bench for six games behind Bart Verbruggen.
Player and club happy with Sunderland transfer
The Brighton goalkeeper has been the Dutch first choice for a while. But Derksen believes that needs to change as Sunderland’s number one is “one of the best goalkeepers in England”.
“That goalkeeper, Roefs, he belongs in the Dutch national team,” he said.
“He’s absolutely the best goalkeeper. It’s truly incomprehensible that Ajax, PSV, or anyone else hasn’t considered him.”
Roefs himself is very happy with the move.
In November he spoke to the Dutch media and said: “So far, everything has been very positive. Everyone is raving (about his performances). That’s really fantastic.
“Eventually, you get used to it and this will become normal again. But I’m very aware that this is something very special that I’m experiencing now, and no matter how well it’s going, you can enjoy it. Especially those matches at home. We beat Chelsea recently. That’s really enjoyable.”
