Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has said that the team have a long way to go after they succumbed to a 3-2 European qualifier defeat to Germany. The Germans were the dominant side in the first period as they secured a 2-0 lead, but the advantage was nullified after the break with Matthijs de Ligt and Memphis Depay levelling the scores.

However, that was not sufficient to secure them a point on the night after Nico Schulz came up with a late 90th-minute winner for the Germans. Speaking after the game, Van Dijk acknowledged that the Dutch outfit still have work to do before they can compete efficiently with some of Europe’s elite nations.

PSV Eindhoven captain Luuk de Jong has been left frustrated after the team managed just a draw against Heerenveen on the road this weekend. The Dutch champions went two goals down in the first period for the second successive occasion but they managed to come from behind to secure another 2-2 draw.

Speaking after the game, De Jong was unimpressed with the defensive organisation of the team after Heerenveen managed to score twice from just three shots on target, he said: “We conceded another two goals and had to fight until the final minute to snatch a point.We won a point at the death, just like we did last week. It’s the same old story for us on the road.

Feyenoord striker Robin van Persie has backed Frenkie de Jong to succeed with Barcelona from the forthcoming season. The Netherlands international recently penned a pre-contract to join the Spanish champions in the summer and this ended the long-standing saga regarding his future beyond the current campaign.

Speaking to NOC, Van Persie said that the Ajax midfielder has taken a great step to move to the Camp Nou when he had been approached by Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain previously. He added that the youngster should become a better player with the Catalan giants where he should be sharing the same dressing room with the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergi Busquets.

Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has urged Callum Hudson-Odoi to take up the option of joining the Bavarian giants during the ongoing transfer window. The young Englishman has struggled to make himself a regular with Chelsea this term and this has recently spread speculation regarding his future with Bayern hot on the trail of his services.

Speaking to reporters, Robben classified the teenager as one of the best young players in Europe and stated that he should take up the opportunity with the German champions, he said: “He is one of the best [young players] in Europe. You are better off getting your chance [at Bayern] and if you get that chance then you have to take it. For young players, it’s always the same. First, you have to take the big step to achieve it. Become a professional football player at the highest level, get into the first team, get your place. Don’t just be happy when you achieve something little or small.”

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has said that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is wild about the prospect of signing Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch midfielder has made immense progress with Ajax over the past 18 months and this has seemingly caught the eye of the Citizens among others including Barcelona.

Amidst this, Koeman has confirmed that Guardiola holds a strong interest in the 21-year-old after enquiring with him about the qualities of the uprising star, he told AlgemeenDagblad. “I spoke to Pep Guardiola about [Frenkie] De Jong and [Matthijs] De Ligt a while ago. He is totally wild about the type of midfielder that Frenkie is, he wanted to know everything about him.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has ruled out the prospect of signing Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong in January as he remains content with the current options at hand. The Ajax ace has been constantly tipped to pursue a fresh challenge and most recently, City were tipped as favourites to acquire his signature.

Speaking to reporters, Guardiola was asked about a possible purchase at the turn of the year to which he clarified the club’s stance saying: “We are not going to spend anything. I am so happy with the squad, and people are coming back, so no, no. When we created the squad at the beginning of the season, it was not to go to the January unless we have problems. But I have a deep squad, and a lot of players cannot play even though I trust them a lot. They believe I don’t like them but that is not true. I trust a lot in all the players, all of them. It’s a joy to be with them but it is what it is.”

Despite enjoying some fine form in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord this season, there is no disputing that Robin Van Persie’s footballing career is winding down.

The 35-year-old has made a name for himself as one of the greatest strikers in football, but can he continue his legacy after he hangs up his boots? The Holland legend spent over ten years playing in England, and there is a chance he may want to return there as a manager.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has said that he would recommend compatriot Matthijs de Ligt to the Reds, should the club ask his opinion on the Dutchman’s qualities. De Ligt has earned rave reviews since making the jump to the Ajax first-team two years ago and he has since progressed to become a regular at the heart of the Netherlands backline alongside Van Dijk.

Speaking after the Nations League game against France, Van Dijk suggested that de Ligt will surely be on the radar of several elite clubs across Europe and he would recommend the Dutchman’s signing to Liverpool, should they hold an interest, he quipped: “He will be on the lists, because they have enough scouts at the club.But the best scout still stands next to De Ligt in the center of Orange? No, but if they need my opinion at Liverpool, I’ll give it.”

Former Barcelona star Ronald de Boer believes Ajax duo Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt have the quality to start for the Blaugrana. The Dutch pairing were heavily tipped to pursue a fresh challenge from Amsterdam last summer but ultimately, they stayed put with Ajax failing to receive suitable offers for either player.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, De Boer hailed the qualities of De Jong, who has been making the headlines with Ajax over the past year. He added that he is unsure whether the midfielder would make the switch to the Camp Nou, though he and compatriot De Ligt are capable of starting regularly with the reigning Spanish champions.

Former Arsenal and Manchester United star Robin van Persie has indicated that he would not refuse another call-up by the Netherlands, though the prospect of that happening appears bleak. The 35-year-old has made a strong start to the season with four goals from just five matches for Feyenoord but this has created the buzz of him making a probable Dutch comeback.

Speaking to reporters, Van Persie admitted that he would not turn down the prospect of making a national team comeback but the opportunity remains unlikely with Ronald Koeman recently citing the veteran may never be selected, he said: “I have said before: I will never say thank you (refuse a call-up), but the coach has been pretty clear in the media. It is going to be a very difficult story, in which he is clear. I do not assume that I’m being called, because he has clearly indicated it. I’m open to it, if he calls me, we’ll have to watch how he sees it. See if it suits me at that moment, based on which we have to make a choice.”