Pascal Struijk has told ESPN he has chosen to play for the Netherlands and they are his first choice, despite the Leeds United defender being able to also play for Belgium. Struijk has been included in Louis van Gaal’s provisional squad.
Struijk, 23, has played every single minute of the Yorkshire club’s Premier League campaign so far. Junior Firpo is still sidelined with injury, and Struijk has deputised. But with Firpo close to a return, it could be Struijk is now first choice.
The defender has always been able to represent Belgium or the Netherlands – and even Indonesia. But the latter was always going to be an unlikely choice. Struijk came through the ranks at Ajax, and has three Netherlands U17 caps.
Van Gaal named a provisional 30-man squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Poland, and ironically, Belgium. Struijk is on that list, but will have to wait to see if he is part of the reduced 23-man squad. He gave his take.
On Belgium, he said: “That’s now off the table. At the time I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. Then I considered everything, but the Netherlands is my first choice. It means a lot to me. It’s the first time I’m even in the provisional.
“I was met by the media manager after the training and he told me the news. My phone was full of messages and then I felt like a little kid. Now let’s hope that I’ll be in the final selection soon. If I am, I will also choose the Netherlands.”
Leeds defender Struijk has chosen to play for Netherlands
While it is brilliant for Struijk, it is not least than he deserves. Struijk has been excellent at this early stage in the season, playing out of what is his favoured position of central midfield. The chances of World Cup inclusion are in his favour.
Van Gaal likes his players to be playing regularly and Struijk is certainly doing that. But more importantly, Struijk offers huge versatility. He can play left-back, centre-back or in midfield. That is crucial when picking a 23-man squad.
It might be that Struijk has an unexpectedly busy winter, instead of remaining in Yorkshire.
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