Amsterdam, Netherlands – The hype surrounding young midfielder Kees Smit has drawn sharp criticism from prominent Dutch football analyst Valentijn Driessen, who questions whether the 20-year-old’s inclusion in recent national team discussions is premature. Driessen, a well-respected voice in Dutch football, voiced his concerns during a recent appearance on the popular show Vandaag Inside, suggesting Smit still has much to prove before being a legitimate contender for a spot in the Netherlands’ squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Driessen’s critique centers on Smit’s performance and overall impact. While acknowledging Smit’s “reasonable” play with AZ Alkmaar, Driessen believes the player hasn’t demonstrated the consistency or dominance needed to immediately contribute at the international level. “I’m getting tired of the Kees Smit hype,” Driessen stated bluntly. “He does okay at AZ, but he doesn’t impose himself on the game. And then he has to quickly prove himself in the national team.”
The analyst contrasted Smit’s situation with that of previous Dutch talents who debuted for the national team at a younger age. “Smit is already twenty. The big boys are all eighteen, nineteen when they debut. And I didn’t see anything from him on Friday. He was disappointing. I felt like a youth international was running around among the big players,” Driessen added, emphasizing the need for significant improvement if Smit hopes to earn a place in the World Cup roster.
Fellow pundit Johan Derksen echoed Driessen’s sentiment, suggesting that Smit might be better served gaining experience with the Jong Oranje (Netherlands U-21) team. Driessen agreed, stating, “That would likewise be high enough.” The discussion also touched upon the financial aspect of Smit’s transfer value – reportedly 60 million euros – with Driessen acknowledging the surrounding excitement but remaining skeptical. “It’s all fun and games, it’s 60 million and we’re all going along with it. Smit can play football nicely, and it’s nice to see. But he makes just as many mistakes as Joey Veerman or Quinten Timber.”
Driessen’s criticism wasn’t simply about Smit’s individual shortcomings. He also pointed to the wealth of talent currently emerging from other nations, particularly France. “We have a great talent. But we’ve had several great talents,” remarked René van der Gijp, another panelist on Vandaag Inside. “We had De Ligt, De Jong, Van de Beek. We had a lot more then. Now we have only one.” Driessen then highlighted the case of France’s Ernest Doué, who, at Smit’s age, is already making a significant impact, including scoring two goals in the Champions League final. “Doué is the same age as Kees Smit. A fantastic player, decisive in the Champions League final. For France, he scores two. That’s what I call a talent.”
The conversation also explored the possibility that national team coach Ronald Koeman might be intentionally showcasing Smit to build his confidence or to position him as a future asset. Derksen theorized, “Could Koeman not want to be the discoverer of Smit? That he place him in the national team?” Driessen, although, remained unconvinced, concluding that while Smit’s inclusion in the squad isn’t entirely unreasonable given the need to fill 26 roster spots, his performance thus far hasn’t warranted significant praise. “That Koeman takes Smit to the World Cup, I understand. There are 26 players going, the last three for show. Smit is a nice boy, with a shaved head. But beyond that, he showed far too little,” Driessen stated.
The debate surrounding Smit underscores the intense scrutiny faced by young players as they transition to the international stage. While his potential is undeniable, Driessen’s assessment serves as a reminder that consistent performance and a demonstrable impact on the game are crucial for success at the highest level. For Smit, the coming weeks and months will be critical as he attempts to silence his critics and prove his worth as a legitimate contender for a place in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad.
The Netherlands national team will continue their preparations for the World Cup with upcoming friendly matches. Details regarding the schedule and potential squad selections will be announced by the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) in the coming weeks. Fans eager to follow Smit’s progress should monitor official team announcements and match coverage for updates.
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