Wim Kieft hopes for a starting spot for former PSV player against Tunisia: “It would be good for that young man.”

After two World Cup matches, the score still shows zero goals for former PSV striker Donyell Malen. After a strong half-year at AS Roma, Malen still hasn’t found the net for the national team, and this could very well cost the former PSV striker his place in the starting lineup.

Especially because Brian Brobbey was on target twice against Sweden last weekend, and Crysencio Summerville was also good for a goal as a substitute for Malen. Still, former PSV player and, nowadays, analyst Wim Kieft hopes that national team coach Ronald Koeman will give the forward another chance against Tunisia.

''He was in top form at AS Roma, scoring in bunches and would do that for Oranje. After two friendly matches and two World Cup duels against Japan and Sweden, Malen must make sure not to follow the path from striker to right winger to reserve against Tunisia. Especially because his competitors Brian Brobbey and Crysencio Summerville are delivering'', Kieft begins in De Telegraaf.

After that, the former striker goes into why he thinks that Malen could still start in the team against already eliminated Tunisia. ''It is still conceivable that national coach Ronald Koeman gives him one last chance as a right winger against Tunisia. Because the Netherlands has qualified for the next round and to keep Malen from being lost for the rest of the tournament'', the ex-international thinks. 

After two matches without goals and assists, Kieft thinks that the confidence among Malen has also dropped somewhat. ''Understandably, he won’t be walking around with a lot of confidence, but only two World Cup matches have been played so far. Maybe Koeman has Malen hard needs this tournament later. For that kid, it would be great if he could score one against Tunisia,'' the analyst said.

According to the born-and-bred Amsterdammer, whether or not to field Malen is one of the many decisions that the national team coach has to make. ''Malen will be one consideration that Koeman has to make. Another is whether he gives physical doubts a place in the starting lineup and, instead, grants players like Justin Kluivert and Memphis Depay playing time. So as to keep them involved and provide them with match rhythm. And Brobbey? It is tempting to say that he has proven himself as a new striker for Oranje. First, wait and see how it turns out'', Kieft concludes.