Shadows Over the Celebration: Valentijn Driessen Questions PSV’s Dominance

PSV Eindhoven has officially secured its 27th Dutch league title, but the celebration in Eindhoven is not without its contradictions. While the club celebrates another piece of silverware, one of the most prominent voices in Dutch football is suggesting that this championship is less a testament to PSV’s brilliance and more a reflection of a declining league.

Valentijn Driessen, the football chief at De Telegraaf, has cast a critical eye on the title win. Despite the Eindhoveners clinching the trophy in record time, Driessen argues that the speed of the victory reveals a troubling lack of competition within the Eredivisie. For a global audience following the Dutch game, the narrative is clear: PSV is the best of the bunch, but the bunch may be getting weaker.

The Paradox of a Record-Breaking Pace

In sports, winning early is usually seen as a mark of absolute dominance. However, Driessen views the rapid coronation differently. He posits that the fact that the title was decided so quickly says as much about the state of the Eredivisie as it does about the quality of the PSV squad.

The title was mathematically sealed not through a dominant final flourish by PSV, but because their pursuers faltered. The championship was confirmed following a 0-0 draw by FC Volendam, leaving PSV as the undisputed champions.

A Step Back from the Bosz Standard

The current campaign has been compared to PSV’s first year under manager Peter Bosz, a period characterized by breathtaking football and overwhelming results. According to Driessen, the current version of the team has failed to reach those heights.

While the results in the standings remain superior, the “wow factor” has diminished. Driessen suggests that the team no longer leaves opponents stunned in the same way they did during Bosz’s debut season, indicating a dip in the overall persuasiveness of their play.

Unacceptable Slips and an Anticlimactic Finish

For a team expected to dominate, certain results this season have been viewed as inexcusable. Driessen specifically pointed to PSV’s two losses against Telstar, labeling those defeats as “unacceptable” for a squad with championship aspirations.

The final stretch of the title race offered little in the way of drama or prestige. PSV struggled to a narrow victory over Utrecht, leaving their fate in the hands of other results. The eventual confirmation of the title came during a Feyenoord versus Volendam match that Driessen described as a “horror.”

Feyenoord’s inability to create chances or secure a win meant that PSV became champions without even having to accept the pitch for a deciding match. For a club of PSV’s stature, winning by default—waiting for a rival to fail—is a bitter pill for some to swallow.

The ‘Grey Veil’ and the Loss of Jerdy Schouten

Beyond the tactical and competitive critiques, a somber note hangs over the celebrations at De Herdgang. Driessen describes a “grey veil” (grauwsluier) covering the title win, primarily due to the devastating injury of midfielder Jerdy Schouten.

Schouten is sidelined for several months, a blow that not only impacts PSV’s immediate tactical depth but likewise strips the player of the chance to compete in a major international tournament. The loss of a midfield anchor of Schouten’s caliber has visibly affected the squad’s morale and composition.

A Pattern of Individual Struggle

This season’s inconsistencies are not limited to the team’s overall form but extend to individual performances. Earlier in the campaign, Driessen was vocal about the struggles of American forward Ricardo Pepi. Comparing him to former striker Luuk de Jong, Driessen criticized Pepi’s lack of contribution to the build-up play and his inability to convert critical chances.

One specific miss—a header from five meters against Ajax—served as a flashpoint for this criticism. Pepi’s struggles were further highlighted by a scoreless outing in a 1-3 defeat against Union Sint-Gillis. While Pepi had found the net twice against NEC shortly after returning from a knee injury, his inability to consistently deliver has been a recurring theme in the team’s perceived decline in “flashiness.”

As PSV prepares for the festivities and the subsequent challenges of European competition, the questions raised by Valentijn Driessen serve as a warning. Winning the trophy is the ultimate goal, but doing so in a manner that feels unconvincing can depart a champion vulnerable.

The club now faces the task of recapturing the brilliance of their early Bosz era while navigating a roster depleted by injury and underperforming in key attacking positions.

Next Checkpoint: PSV will move into the off-season and subsequent preparations for the next campaign, with the recovery timeline of Jerdy Schouten remaining a primary focus for the medical staff.

Do you agree with Driessen that the Eredivisie’s lack of competition is making PSV appear less impressive, or is a record-breaking title win enough to silence the critics? Let us know in the comments.