Koeman rules nothing out for a striker spot for former PSV man: 'Everything is possible'
1 min readNational team coach Ronald Koeman has already announced his squad for the World Cup in North America, and a spot has also become available for former PSV player Donyell Malen. Malen had a strong half season at AS Roma in Serie A, where the striker was responsible for fourteen goals in eighteen league matches.
Also due to the excellent form of Malen and the faltering fitness of Memphis Depay, who has also been selected by the national team coach, there has been a great deal of discussion in many a talk show over the past period about who should actually be starting up front during the World Cup. Even the national team coach was asked this question during the press conference.
In addition to Malen and Depay, Brian Brobbey and Wout Weghorst have also been included in Koeman’s squad, so they too have a chance of a place in the forward line. Even ahead of Euro 2024, Memphis was not 100% fit, and perhaps that is why Koeman decides not to let the attacker start from the kickoff during the World Cup.
''I would have preferred that he had made the minutes earlier. He is going to play tonight from kick-off with Corinthians, so we will have to wait and see. I have changed my position, though. Afterwards, I wasn't sure whether I should have started him at Euro 2024. So I might do that differently'', Koeman said in response to a question about Memphis, as cited by Voetbal International.
In addition, the national coach does not rule out that Donyell Malen will play as a striker during the World Cup, but even so Koeman does not yet want to reveal too many details about it. ''Everything is possible. He is playing there now, of course, and he was once debuted as a striker. Even for me. Given his qualities and the way AS Roma plays, that is made for him. The counterattack, the finishing, searching for depth. But I think that could also be from the right side into the middle, the way he has also played well for us. But in the way Roma plays, that striker position is made for him,'' says the national coach about it.
According to Koeman, Malen is also an option for the right flank. ''Either can, both can. Those goals he scores for Roma, he can also score from another position'', said the national coach.
Comments14
🔥🔥🔥 That transition moments were tasty. If the winger hits that first pass faster, Zerrouki is gonna get cooked.
Imo the biggest takeaway is that PSV create more chances when the 10 drops into the half-space, not when he hugs the touchline. Would love to see that adjustment again, same game plan but sharper decisions. 💯
"the key is staying brave" ok but brave also means protecting the transition. If we lose the ball in midfield once, it becomes chaos immediately. Smh, fix the spacing. 💀
Tbh i think the key is transitions, not possession. The moment we slow it down near the box, it becomes too predictable and teams like Ajax are ready for it.
That quote about patience... yes please. We are at our best when we recycle and pull them apart instead of forcing it right away. Let's see some cleaner buildup next match. 🚀
Those wide channels look promising, but tbh the crossing quality is still up and down. Luuk de Jong doing the hold-up is nice, yet we need more runners in the box, not just him battling 2 CBs. 👀
Ngl the article makes it sound like the press is perfectly timed, but i watched too many moments where the second ball kills us. If our fullbacks dont step up on time, the whole shape gets exposed. 🤬
tbh i like the idea, but the midfield still looks a bit too open when the ball is lost. If Veerman isnt screening properly then Luuk should stay disciplined and not wander forward.
Im sorry but if the plan is to rely on quick turnovers all night, we need to be clinical. Against top teams, one loose pass and its 1-0 the other way 💀.
"PSV Inside" talking about the midfield balance ... imo it starts with keeping the 6 clean. When Til doesnt cover across, we get exposed right away.
Bro if they start using the false 9 again, im calling it now, Saibari and Tillman will finally get those half-spaces to run into. Klopp-style pressing would suit this group too 🔥.
If PSV are really going with that high press, i just hope it doesnt leave space behind the fullbacks. Tillman has to run those channels early, otherwise itll turn into a slow possession game.
If the article is hinting PSV should go back to more direct width, i actually get it. When our fullbacks push, the midfield doesnt get stuck facing their block.
If PSV keep playing with that tempo, Simons has to get more involved early, not wait until we are already pinned back. Van Nistelrooij will learn real quick that control starts in midfield, not in the final third. 🔥⚽