VAR controversy during Sunderland 1-1 Everton as Louis-Dreyfus delivers interview
Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs continues to draw praise from far and wide.
Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs has quickly established himself as a popular presence on Wearside with a series of commanding displays since he arrived in a summer transfer from boyhood club NEC Nijmegen.
The Dutch stopper has kept a number of clean sheets during an impressive start to life in England, and has been highly praised by fans, coaching staff, pundits, and statisticians alike.
And the latest voice to a deliver a glowing verdict on Roefs is one of his former teammates from his time at Nijmegen. During his final months in the Netherlands, the goalkeeper played alongside veteran forward Bryan Linssen, and Voetbal Primeur have now spoken to the 35-year-old about the emerging talent’s recent move to Sunderland.
What did Bryan Linssen say about Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs?
After an eye-catching start to his Black Cats career, Linssen has expressed his delight for Roefs, stating: “I’m definitely keeping an eye on him. If I can, I try to watch his games. It’s a pleasure to watch that kid grow. When you read the comments in England, you really wish him the best. There’s no better guy in football.”
Linssen’s comments come off the back of a recent interview with Nijmegen general manager Wilco van Schaik in which the club chief confirmed that Roefs has a sell-on clause written into his contract at the Stadium of Light.
Speaking to ESPN NL’s Goedemorgen Eredivisieis, as relayed by Voetbal Primeur, Van Schaik has revealed that the agreement which brought Roefs to England includes a number of achievable bonuses as well. When asked if the initial package for Roefs could be worth even more if and when he comes to leave Sunderland, Van Schaik responded: “Yes, that’s also a plus. That’s very nice. It’s obviously impossible what we received for Roefs, but these are the amounts we’re going to trade for.”
It is understood that one of the potential bonuses folded into the Roefs deal will be triggered if Sunderland avoid relegation this season - an outcome that Van Schaik is seemingly confident will come to fruition, jokingly explaining: “I’ve already spent half of that.”
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What has Regis Le Bris said about Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs?
Speaking after Roefs’ starring role against Crystal Palace back in September, head coach Regis Le Bris was quick to hail his impact at the Stadium of Light. He said: “I think we need players at that level in the Premier League, otherwise we won't exist. So for me it's not a surprise, I'm really pleased and happy with his performance, of course. But not surprised, and I'm sure he will have other performances like that.
“Thanks to the team too, because to make these saves you need defenders, you need the block, you need to make it hard for the opponent, and when you are a goalkeeper you have to make the final save.
“Probably because he's young he will improve many things, I hope so. He's really composed, really calm, he understands the game really well. I think his technical and physical attributes, the way he understands the game, the way he can anticipate, the way he can connect with his teammates is really impressive. So for me it's not a surprise, but I'm happy with his performance.”
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