Last updated: Jan 30, 2026, 8:17 PM
Ismael Saibari is once again one of PSV’s most important players this season. According to Mike Verweij and Valentijn Driessen, the 25-year-old midfielder could handle the level of top European clubs such as Bayern Munich.
In the podcast Kick-off van The Telegraph On Friday it was discussed, among other things, that Saibari was hugging Vincent Kompany, the trainer of the visitors, after the Champions League match with Bayern (1-2 defeat).
When asked whether he could handle the level of that club, Verweij answers: “Certainly. I think so.” Driessen agrees with him. “I think so too. I don’t think he would look out of place there.”
“And he also had some great plays,” Driessen continues about Saibari’s game against Bayern. “He was also involved in that goal, but he made up for that later with the equalizer.”
“He actually stands head and shoulders above the rest, often in these types of matches. You can just see how easy and comfortable he is on the ball, and he also has the content to do the amount of work that is required.”
Verweij thinks that Saibari is now ready for the top. Driessen adds: “Saibari shows it in many matches, including in the top matches. During Feyenoord – PSV he was of course unparalleled.”
“And those are matches that those kinds of clubs watch. And they watch the Champions League. They don’t watch PSV – Heracles. That will be a problem for them, those big boys.”
