PSV received 20 million+ but Van der Vaart has completely turned around.

Rafael van der Vaart can’t ignore it anymore after first having been against him for a long time. The analyst is on it.

And it’s also good for that. Of course, it’s about Joey Veerman and his play at Borussia Dortmund and the Netherlands national team. Because quite a lot is going on with the midfielder from Volendam. Also in Dortmund, and also with Oranje. The former PSV player appears to have started a new chapter in his career. Also with Oranje, things are moving along for the midfielder from Volendam—both at Dortmund and with Oranje.

The match statistics of Veerman in Dortmund are more than fine, and so Xavi wanted to see him up close once in a while. Analyst Van der Vaart also seems to be unable to look past Veerman anymore. The NOS analyst therefore sees that Joey Veerman has further developed since his move to Borussia Dortmund. The midfielder dominated and played an important role against Serbia. Afterwards, only compliments from the NOS analyst, who has really stepped up.

"Veerman is, by far, the best fit", Van der Vaart begins during the post-match analysis on the 1-2 victory over Serbia in the Nations League. According to the former international, Veerman's tempo is sometimes still a bit low, but he now sees improvement in that. "Now he proves at Dortmund as well that he indeed needed that little step in order to make another step."

Did Van der Vaart actually watch the matches and performances of Veerman in Dortmund, or is the analyst just talking rubbish? Van der Vaart thinks Veerman benefits from the level at Dortmund. "With the Bundesliga and with Dortmund, you also have better players around you. That’s what I thought you could see today. He’s really a Xavi-type player, and I think he’ll be starting more often.”

Analyst Theo Janssen also sees a clear match between Veerman and the way Xavi Hernández wants to play with Oranje. "He has a great ball through the lines, not so hard. Then you still have a bit of space so you can turn open and accelerate again."

PSV received more than 20 million euros last summer for Veerman, who was in dire need of a new step in his career. Everything works out more than well for the Volendam native, who now has a fan behind him in the comeback of Van der Vaart. For years in a row, Van der Vaart made it clear he was not impressed by Veerman, but the NOS analyst has come around to him.