PSV’s Dominance: A Tale of Two eras
former PSV striker René van der Gijp has expressed astonishment at the widening gap in quality between PSV and its Eredivisie rivals. He argues that in his playing days,PSV coudl always poach top talent from competing clubs to bolster their squad,a scenario he believes is no longer realistic.
Van der Gijp cites the recent PSV-feyenoord match as an example, highlighting the notable performances of PSV’s new signings like Tillman, Saibari, and Pepi. These players, he notes, have seen their market value skyrocket, demonstrating PSV’s shrewd recruitment strategy.
He further emphasizes that PSV’s current squad is so strong that even Feyenoord coach Peter bosz wouldn’t be tempted to sign any of their players. Van der Gijp jokingly suggests that perhaps Bosz might consider Hancko, given PSV’s relative weakness at left-back, but even then, it wouldn’t be a priority.This stark contrast with the past, where PSV routinely lured star players from Ajax and Feyenoord, is striking to Van der Gijp. He recalls legendary names like Rijkaard, Van Basten, and Vanenburg, who were all coveted by PSV and ultimately contributed to their championship triumphs.
Today,the landscape has shifted dramatically. in a hypothetical PSV-Ajax clash, Van der Gijp struggles to identify a single Ajax player worthy of a PSV jersey, highlighting the current dominance of PSV in the Eredivisie. This dominance, he suggests, is a testament to PSV’s astute scouting and progress, allowing them to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level without relying on poaching talent from their rivals.
The PSV Pinnacle: A Conversation with Marco van Basten
The Dutch Eredivisie has witnessed a seismic shift in power. Lately, PSV Eindhoven seem unstoppable, leaving their rivals grasping at straws. We sat down with legendary Dutch striker Marco van Basten to unpack the reasons behind PSV’s ascendancy and explore the changing landscape of Dutch football.
Moderator: Marco, René van der Gijp recently lamented the gap between PSV and their rivals, stating that PSV could no longer simply poach top talent from other clubs like they used to. do you agree with his assessment?
Marco van basten: It’s true that the dynamics have shifted. During our era, ther was a constant ebb and flow of talent between the top clubs. Players like myself,Frank Rijkaard,and Ruud Gullit were all courted by PSV. But PSV’s current dominance is built on more than just acquiring established stars. They’ve shown astonishing foresight in scouting and developing young talent. Look at Tillman, Saibari, and pepi – these guys are not just playing well, they’re seeing their market value skyrocket!
Moderator: René even jokingly suggested that even Feyenoord’s Peter Bosz wouldn’t be tempted to sign any of PSV’s current players. Do you think that’s a fair assessment?
Marco van Basten: I think it highlights the incredible depth PSV has built.I wouldn’t be surprised if Bosz or any other Eredivisie manager would struggle to identify a player who would immediately improve their starting XI if they were raiding PSV’s squad. That’s a testament to the quality they’ve assembled.
Moderator: So do you see this dominance continuing? Can PSV establish a dynasty in Dutch football?
Marco van Basten: It’s certainly possible.
But football is a fickle game. Injuries,dips in form,and the emergence of new talents can all shift the balance. Ajax is still a sleeping giant, and Feyenoord has shown their capability.
The key for PSV will be to maintain their current trajectory,consistently scouting and developing young talent,and keeping the hunger for success alive.
Moderator: Looking back at your own playing days, what do you think has changed most dramatically in dutch football?
Marco van Basten: The financial gulf between the Eredivisie and the top leagues in Europe has widened considerably. That makes it difficult for Dutch clubs to hold onto their best players for extended periods.
But it also means that clubs like PSV have to be even more strategic in their recruitment.They need to identify hidden gems, players with immense potential who can flourish in the Eredivisie before potentially moving on to bigger clubs.
moderator: That’s a great point. It truly seems the days of star players staying in the Eredivisie for their entire careers are long gone.
Marco van Basten: Exactly. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. it can create more opportunities for young Dutch talent to shine and for the eredivisie to continue producing exciting players who can compete on the world stage.
Moderator: We’d love to hear from our readers! Do you think PSV’s reign at the top will continue? Can any other Eredivisie club challenge their dominance? Sound off in the comments below!
