Cody Gakpo’s stunning World Cup campaign shows what an ‘excellent’ decision he made turning down Premier League duo Leeds United and Southampton to stay at PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands team-mate Marten de Roon tells Gazzetta dello Sport.
OK, technically speaking, it obviously won’t go down in the history books as a ‘perfect hat-trick’. Gakpo’s three goals during the World Cup group-stages, after all, came across three matches rather during than one 90 minute burst.
But, hitting the target with his head, his right foot and his left foot too, one of Europe’s most coveted forwards certainly seized the opportunity to prove that, if you give you give him even a sniff of the chance, expect to see the net ripple. On the biggest stage of all, no less.
Cody Gakpo rejected Leeds and Southampton before shining at Qatar World Cup
“He’s in great shape. He was already playing well in Holland,” explains Dutch team-mate De Roon.
“In the summer there were many rumours that he would go to a big team. In the end, he stayed. Perhaps also to have more chances with the national team. In my opinion, he made an excellent choice.
“He will play a great World Cup, and then it will be very difficult for PSV keep him.”
It is well-documented that Gakpo could have joined Leeds or Southampton on the final day of the summer transfer window. Leeds even charted a private flight to take him to West Yorkshire. Gakpo told The Times, however, that he opted to stay at PSV instead.
And his reward for that could be a potential £45 million January switch to one of Europe’s A-list clubs.
“As a football player you need a bit of luck in your career,” says Willy van der Kerkhof, a six-time Eredivisie winner with PSV.
“Gakpo plays well at the World Cup. That is good for him, but also good for PSV. To be very honest; if he plays a good World Cup, and he’s doing that, then I think he will be gone by Christmas.
“I wouldn’t sell him for less than 80 million euros (£70 million).”
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