A Liverpool star has found himself back in the firing line in the Netherlands, just weeks after deciding to continue his international career.
The latest criticism follows a difficult night for Oranje on Thursday, when Xavi’s side fell two goals behind against Greece in Thessaloniki before fighting back to draw two apiece.
The first half display was widely criticised in the Dutch press, and one former coach has now singled out a familiar name.
Gertjan Verbeek, the former Feyenoord and AZ coach, believes the problem lies in Xavi’s high and aggressive style.
Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl, Verbeek explained that whenever the Netherlands dominate and then lose possession, “there is a huge amount of space behind the defence”.
The player he is most concerned about is Virgil van Dijk.
Verbeek feels both Van Dijk and Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber are uncomfortable in the new system.
“They are visibly struggling with it because, quite simply, they aren’t fast enough,” he said, suggesting Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven would suit the approach better thanks to his recovery pace.
Interestingly, Verbeek believes Liverpool get far more out of the captain.
“I feel that at Liverpool, they take Van Dijk’s strengths more into account; they have more respect for his qualities there,” he added.
Pointing to moments against Germany and Greece when Van Dijk was beaten for pace, Verbeek insisted Xavi must now make a decision.
“If he selects him, he has to convince Van Dijk that he must step up to press his opponent and not just let his man go.”
The comments add to what has already been a turbulent few months for the defender on the international stage.
The Netherlands were knocked out of the World Cup in the round of 32 by Morocco on penalties, and Van Dijk was heavily criticised by journalist Valentijn Driessen, who claimed he had “betrayed everything our national team stands for”.
At 35, Van Dijk was left weighing up his international future.
However, Xavi travelled to Liverpool to meet him in person, and the defender agreed to carry on as captain, saying he wanted to make the next two years a great time.
His night in Greece was not all negative either.
Van Dijk headed in the Netherlands’ first goal from a Joey Veerman corner in what was his 99th international appearance, although Dutch outlets VoetbalPrimeur and AD still felt he should have done more to prevent the opener.
The Netherlands host Serbia in Eindhoven on Sunday, a game that could bring Van Dijk his 100th cap.
How Xavi responds to the growing debate will be fascinating.
For Liverpool and Andoni Iraola, Verbeek’s comments are almost a compliment.
The suggestion is that the Reds understand how to get the best out of their skipper, and with Van Dijk out of contract at the end of the season, how he performs for his club may matter far more to his future than anything in orange.
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