Only half an hour. That’s when national coach Ronald Koeman had seen enough during the dramatic third group match of the Dutch national team at the European Championship, once morest Austria. Joey Veerman was substituted for Xavi Simons, in the hope of turning the match around – which would not work. During his first European Championship match, once morest Poland, Veerman also played below par. Is a top transfer, which seemed to be in the making for him following a great season at PSV, now at risk?
With his substitution in the 34th minute, Veerman ended up in the record books. Never before had an international of the Dutch national team been substituted so quickly during a European Championship match. “Veerman simply played badly once morest Austria”, former international René van de Kerkhof agrees. “The entire Dutch team did that, but he was the worst. Against a well-playing Austria, by the way.”
Before the start of the European Championship, Veerman seemed to be on his way to a top transfer. After an outstanding season with PSV, a successful European Championship seemed to be the ideal springboard for the midfielder to an absolute top club abroad. Real Madrid was even mentioned as an option. How is that following two disappointing matches at the European Championship?
“Joey can play football really well, he has proven that”, René’s brother Willy emphasises. He points to Veerman’s excellent play in the Champions League. “He undeniably has the qualities for the top. Clubs know that.” So he is not afraid that interested clubs will drop out following this European Championship. Although he does take into account that foreign clubs will now make lower bids to PSV.
“Perhaps Veerman will stay in Eindhoven for another year or two,” René suggests. “I hope so.” Willy adds: “Your career doesn’t depend on a bad match. He’s just a good footballer, but had a bad day.”
“Veerman needs players he can send deep.”
Jan Poortvliet, who participated in the successful 1978 World Cup with the Van de Kerkhof brothers, agrees with Willy. “Interested clubs are not scared of this”, he believes. “Veerman had a great season before the European Championship.”
“Joey is pretty much praised to the skies.”
The Oss ex-international Marc van Hintum thinks that in the Netherlands we are very quick to both praise and put down players. “These last two matches have been very annoying for Veerman, but writing him off for Oranje now is really premature”, emphasizes the former player of Helmond Sport, Willem II and RKC.
Kees Ploegsma, agent and manager of PSV during the very successful eighties and nineties, does have the impression that Veerman is not feeling well. “Apparently he is suffering from tension. At a tournament like this everything goes much faster and you have to deal with different playing styles. Maybe things are going a bit too fast with Veerman. He was praised to the skies in advance. But Joey is still quite young. I would say: stay at PSV for another year and then we will see. Then you will gain another year of experience in the Champions League, with even more matches next season than before. I suspect that PSV thinks the same.”
Waiting for privacy settings…
Joey Veerman was substituted following 34 minutes during the Netherlands-Austria match (photo: ANP 2024/Gabriel Bouys).
