Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen should be a part of the Netherlands squad moving forwards, and their three-man selection for the European Championships should they qualify.
That’s according to journalists Mike Verweij and Valentijn Driessen, who have praised the goalkeeper and claimed he “radiated a certain piece” in his performances in this international break.
The Brighton goalkeeper was handed his chance to establish himself as Netherlands number one by Ronald Koeman this week, making his debut in the loss to France and then the 1-0 win over Greece.
While he could do nothing to stop Kylian Mbappe and the French, and was not tested by the Greeks, he left the break having made a positive impression, at least on Verweij and Driessen.
“Verbruggen did nothing wrong against the Greeks,” Driessen said.
“Although that wasn’t really possible, because they didn’t want to attack at all. He didn’t have to make any rescues.
“I think it makes a lot of sense if you include Verbruggen, Flekken and Bijlow,” added Verweij. “If Andries Noppert suddenly starts doing very well again at SC Heerenveen, he also has a chance. Then it will be between those four.”
Their opinion is certainly shared by the Brighton goalkeeper, who was happy with what he was able to display in the two games this week.
He’s been speaking to Algemeen Dagblad about the international break and how he would rate it, given it was his first time with the senior side.
He seems to think that, despite defeat against France and the need for that late penalty to beat Greece, all is well, particularly in terms of his prospects moving forwards.
“It was fun. I enjoyed it,” he said.
“Made my debut against France, a top country. Unfortunately, no result was achieved in that match. But in the second game of the week, it did. Kept a clean sheet in an away match that really mattered. What I’m saying: I enjoyed this week.
“I also feel his (Koeman’s) confidence, yes. It is evident from the fact that the national coach fielded me against France when he did not have to do it.
“At the Dutch team, with a different goalkeeper coach and a different way of playing, you hear different things than at your club. But I didn’t hear anything that I didn’t already know or didn’t know about myself.”
