ESPN analyst points to PSV after transfer of Mats Rots: ‘I would have found that move very logical’

This week it became known that FC Twente defender Mats Rots will make the move from Enschede to German TSG Hoffenheim for no less than sixteen million euros. Over the past few months, Rots was also repeatedly linked to a transfer to PSV, but the defender is therefore seeking his fortune with our eastern neighbors.

The amount that the left back costs, does not surprise ESPN analyst and former technical director of FC Twente Arnold Bruggink all that much. ''Maybe that is easy to say in hindsight, but honestly: I have never doubted Mats. Because he has his specific qualities. He can play football so well, is fast and big, and moves very easily. People always used to say about him: 'Yes, but what about his character...' I actually think Mats's character is very much to his advantage. He is still playing as if he were at SV Grol'', Bruggink says to Voetbal International.

In April 2025, Ajax would already have informed us to bring the wing defender to Amsterdam, but according to Bruggink, the capital city side never made a concrete offer for Rots. ''We immediately said that we didn't want to let Mats go. Not maybe yet. Dominique Scholten and I both had no doubt about it. I literally told his agent that I didn't want Mats to leave before he had worn the FC Twente shirt for a full season. Because I didn't want to let a player with his qualities go so quickly, and I was convinced that he would only get better'', continues the former PSV player.

According to ESPN analyst, Rots initially wanted to make the switch to Ajax, but despite that, the men from Twente kept their defender on board. ''"He flipped the switch and developed very well over the past season. With a big transfer as a reward'', Bruggink tells about it.

The former footballer, from among others PSV and Hannover 96, knows that PSV was also interested in bringing Rots to Eindhoven and Bruggink would not have found it more than logical if Rots had left for PSV. ''PSV was, according to me, also genuinely interested in him. I would have found that move very logical for Mats. But Hoffenheim was willing to go very far,'' says the former pro about it.

According to the current analyst, the defender nevertheless makes a fine move. ''I'm happy that Mats, at least for now, isn't leaving for a less football-focused country or a troubled club. This is a transfer with a plan. It could still turn out badly, but it has been thought through well. Mats is moving on to a major league, to a calm club. Where he can play European football. Where the pitches are fantastic and everything is arranged top-notch. A club that has always had a lot of good players and gives them the chance to develop. Mats will not be held accountable at Hoffenheim for two or three bad matches. I hope and think that this step fits him well. There's now a big price tag around his neck, but he won't get confused about that either. Mats has enormous potential and all the conditions to go even further,'' concludes Bruggink.