Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe loves how Sven Botman handled being snubbed by the Netherlands. But he admits the defender’s ‘disappointment’ at not going to the World Cup.
Louis van Gaal elected to leave Botman out of the Oranje’s 26-man squad for Qatar 2022. Even though the centre-half had continually impressed on Tyneside after joining the Toon in July. Newcastle secured a £35m deal with LOSC Lille to sign Howe’s top defensive target.
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Botman started 12 of his 13 Premier League appearances as Newcastle produced a run to sit third in the table. The 22-year-old also helped Nick Pope register all seven of the £12m goalkeeper’s clean sheets this season. Botman has only allowed eight goals to be scored.
Yet Van Gaal did not feel Botman merited being recalled to the Netherlands set-up for the World Cup. The Badhoevedorp native has so far only made an Oranje squad once before in November 2020. But he only featured as an unused substitute for two Nations League ties.
So, Botman could only watch from home as the Netherlands made the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Oranje topped Group A having only allowed one goal over three games. They then beat the USA 3-1 but lost to Argentina on 4-3 penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Howe is pleased with Newcastle star Botman’s response to his World Cup snub
Newcastle boss Howe admits Botman was dejected by not making Van Gaal’s Netherlands squad for the World Cup. But he saw a positive response from the defender straight away against Chelsea in the Magpies’ last Premier League fixture before the top-flight hit pause.
The Toon boss also believes the 6 ft 4 enforcer has returned to Tyneside in positive spirits. As shown by Botman’s performance as Newcastle returned to action after the World Cup by beating Bournemouth 1-0 in the EFL Cup. They will meet Leicester City in the quarter-finals.
Howe noted of Botman’s reaction, via BBC Sport: “I know there was initial disappointment when he wasn’t included in the World Cup squad. But he was really mature.
“Looking back to the Chelsea game, his performance was very good and you wouldn’t have known there was anything on his mind except Newcastle.
“He’s come back and put in a great performance against Bournemouth. I think his career is in a very good place and my message would be just to concentrate on what he can control, which is performing well for us and the rest will take care of itself.”
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