Max de KokMay 14, 2026
NewsThis former PSV player travels with New Zealand to the World Cup
1 min readNew Zealand will travel to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 next summer, and the Oceanian country will be active on the world stage for the third time. Following the Bosnia and Herzegovina of Esmir Bajraktarevic and Sweden, New Zealand has also announced its World Cup squad.
Therein, the national team coach has made room for former PSV midfielder Ryan Thomas. Thomas was active for PSV from 2018 to 2022, but generally suffered from many injuries, which is why the New Zealander only made it into 33 matches for PSV.
In the summer of 2022, the midfielder’s contract was not renewed and in October 2022 he returned to PEC Zwolle. Now, Thomas will represent his country against Belgium, Egypt and Iran this coming summer.
Comments19
Ngl, the article saying the system is working sounds optimistic. Against Ajax level pressing, we need quicker third-man runs or its gonna be slow and predictable. 💀
"PSV are building from the back" sounds good until the press is right on top. When the first pass is late, Gakpo or Tillman cant bail us out every time... 💀
The article hints at rotation, ngl i get it with the schedule, but PSV must not lose intensity. Even one shaky start and you feel the pressure immediately.
Tbh i love the aggression, but if we are starting too narrow in possession it makes it easy to press us. Need more quick switches, and less fancy touches in our own half. 🔥
Goal!! if they keep feeding the left side, that channel is basically a cheat code. Also, someone remind the wingers to stay wider so the overlap is actually useful. 💯🚀
Naah, im not convinced by the lineup choice. If the fullbacks are too high again, teams will just play that early ball over the top. Classic PSV risk, and i hate that it keeps working against us. 🙄
I think the biggest difference is the timing of the runs. If our 9 moves early and the 10 finds the half-space quicker, the whole attack looks smoother. Otherwise it becomes too predictable.
"PSV Inside" talk about pressing triggers, and tbh our best moments are when the first two steps are aggressive. If that happens, then Bergwijn and Luuk's movement will finally get the ball at pace. 🔥⚽
Eens wat vuur. When Xavi Simons drops to receive between the lines, it feels like defenders lose their head. If the final ball is on point, we win that.
🔥🔥🔥 that press trap was a thing of beauty. When we win it high, our attackers actually look dangerous, not just busy.
"PSV Inside" making it sound like we are one switch away from perfection 😂 Tbh our width still disappears, especially against low blocks. Need more overlap from the fullbacks, not just drifting inside.
The midfield structure sounds right, but i worry about how often we leave space for the opponent's No.10. If we start switching late, it becomes a tactical disaster fast.
The midfield balance worries me. If Til or Veerman arent sitting right, Luuk is going to get isolated and we end up chasing the game again. 👀
"PSV Inside" saying we are "more aggressive" is fair, but aggression without control is just chaos. Look at how often we lose the ball near the box, that kills our own momentum.
If PSV go back to the same slow build-up again, we will get punished. Sangare looks solid on the ball but i still feel we need one more runner between the lines.
tbh im still not fully sold on our wing balance. When the fullback steps up, we leave space behind, and teams like Ajax will target that all match.
If this is the plan with the fullbacks pushing higher, then the midfield has to cover those half-spaces. Otherwise it becomes free real estate for the counter. 👀
If PSV press like they did in that build-up, then Simons is gonna be cooking. That first touch has to be cleaner though, because a sloppy half-turn and youre gifting counters.
If this is really PSV going more direct in the second half, im here for it. But i need the midfield to protect the center better, because our build-up gets punished way too easily.