Ronald Koeman thinks Joey Veerman is a ‘great footballer’, but still sees plenty of room for improvement. The 24-year-old PSV midfielder must improve defensively, according to the national coach of the Dutch national team. The level that Veerman reached in recent top duels, he must also reach from Koeman in matches against less strong opponents on paper.
Veerman is one of 26 players included by Koeman in the Orange squad for the Nations League Final Four. “Joey is a great football player, who goes to the ball for the right solutions and is strong in passing. What matters to me is: what does Joey do when we don’t have the ball? The ease with which he sometimes lets himself be played or doesn’t win duels you have to win. I was working on that with him in March,” Koeman said in conversation with The Telegraph.
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Koeman finds it understandable that Veerman has difficulty always performing at the top level. “It is not easy for him if you are used to being like this. It takes extra effort, but he must improve in that. That development must come from himself. The picture must be more complete. Not only deliver two duels against Ajax, but also against ADO Den Haag. Then he let it go three times. You do that against a great opponent.”
In recent top matches, such as the cup final against Ajax, Veerman dominated midfield. “It has to come to life with him that he always delivers. At the Orange I try to trigger him to do so. It’s up to Joey to pick it up,” the national coach concludes.
