Burnley forward Zian Flemming believes his form this season should have already earned him a place in the Netherlands squad.
Speaking to Voetbal International, the 27-year-old Burnley forward admitted that he is surprised that he has not yet been contacted.
“I haven’t heard anything,” Flemming told VI when asked about a potential call-up. “If someone came to watch, I didn’t notice any of it.
“My principle is always: I demand of myself that I perform so well that a trainer, or a national coach in this case, cannot ignore me. Apparently, that hasn’t happened yet.”
He even set himself a personal target ahead of the March international break.
“In the back of my mind, I had to be on eight goals to be included in the squad. When the selection was announced, I only had seven. The next day, I scored my eighth against Fulham. Just too late, I thought.
“A few days later, Memphis Depay dropped out of the Dutch national team due to injury. So, by then I was already on eight, but they decided not to call up a replacement. So, my assessment was wrong. A real shame. I would have loved it.”
Premier League dominance
Zian Flemming believes that he is performing at a level in the Premier League that warrants his selection.
While Burnley have struggled this season, and seem destined for relegation, Flemming has eight goals in the competition this season.
Those are impressive numbers. In fact, he is the best performing Dutchman in the top-flight. Flemming also believes he is proving himself against the best game by game as well.
“Looking at it in black and white: the Premier League is undeniably the very best and toughest league in the world,” he added.
“And there is no Dutchman who has scored more goals in it than I have. I measure myself against top players in every match; half the Premier League will soon be at the World Cup. I feel ready for the Dutch national team.”
Not giving up yet
With the World Cup just around the corner, convincing Netherlands boss Ronald Koean to include him now will be no mean feat.
Indeed, the failure to call up the Burnley striker during the international break is a clear sign he’s not in his plans right now. Flemming, though, won’t give up without a fight.
“The fact that this is starting to become an issue at the age of 27 is remarkable in itself,” he concluded.
“But you can leave a challenge to me. That is exactly what I enjoy. Maybe I’m a bit crazy. The fact that I wasn’t called up this time stirred something in me. The chance is slim. But there is still a chance. Then I’ll go all out for it.”