Netherlands manager Frank de Boer has disclosed that PSV Eindhoven attacker Cody Gakpo is a candidate for his main squad.
The calls for Gakpo to get a call-up intensified after the striker’s excellent display for Netherlands U21’s in their 6-1 hammering of Hungary on Tuesday.
Gakpo who is eligible to also play for Ghaha and Togo, stole the show on Tuesday during the resounding 6-1 victory of the Juniors against Young Hungary at the European Championship U21. National coach Frank de Boer speaking to ESPN assured that the 21-year-old PSV attacker is in the picture with the Dutch national team.
“He has just returned from a fairly long injury. He just has to continue the upward trend, or at least continue to show this level,” De Boer told ESPN .
“Then he is of course a player that we keep an eye on. Let that be clear. We take everyone into consideration. Just as it is for Wout Weghorst. And of course Cody Gakpo is one of them.”
Cody Gakpo (21) stats vs. Hungary U21s:
☑️ 82 minutes
⚽️ 2 goals
🅰️ 1 assist
🚀 6 shots
🔑 3 key passes
🔀 6/6 dribbles won
🥅 Penalty won
↪️ 10 crosses
⚔️ 10/11 duels won
🦶 67 touches pic.twitter.com/s77G83zlLX— David Stevenson (@dav_stevenson) March 30, 2021
Gakpo scored two goals and an assist against the Hungarians. In addition, he received a penalty kick.
The Young Orange coach Erwin van de Looi also praised the youngster for his brilliant display against Hungary.
“He has very special qualities. Then he slides past an opponent with a body movement. Then again he has a great shot, with those big feet of his. If someone grows like this in two years at the Dutch Juniors, then you know that he is. comes into the picture for another team. ”
Gakpo competes with PSV teammate Donyell Malen, Ryan Babel and Steven Bergwijn for a place in the Dutch national team.
The latter two hardly play at Galatasaray and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.