Newcastle United defender Sven Botman has ‘disappointed’ his international boss by dropping out of the Netherlands Under-21s squad.
The Dutch youngsters are set to play Belgium and Romania during the international break, and Botman was initially included in the 23-man squad.
However, Newcastle’s number four has since dropped out, instead preferring to focus on his club career. This comes just days after he was replaced in Eddie Howe’s starting XI by Dan Burn.
While he’s enjoyed a decent start to life at St James’ Park, Botman is yet to truly establish himself in the Newcastle starting lineup. And now he’s made a big decision to boost his club career, and one that hasn’t gone down too well in his home country.
Netherlands youth boss comments on Sven Botman decision
After the announcement, Netherlands Under-21s boss Erwin van de Looi has reacted to Botman’s decision.
“I had telephone contact with Sven. We’ve talked about it. Of course I accept his decision, but I don’t understand him,” he told Voetbal International.
“It is everyone’s free choice to come here, but I was disappointed with that announcement, that’s for sure. I think we are preparing for a European Championship, then you would like to have everyone there. You also hope that everyone likes to come, but if they don’t, they don’t. Everyone has their free choice. But I don’t think it’s too convenient for him either.
“If you look at the slightly bigger picture and you also see that Bruno Martins Indi, for example, loses weight at Orange, then you might have to consider those kinds of things. I painted him the picture when he said he wanted to unsubscribe, so that’s obvious.”
Decision will hopefully benefit Newcastle
It’s clear that Botman’s decision hasn’t gone down too well with Van de Looi. He is not happy that the 22-year-old has chosen club over country.
In fairness to Van de Looi, it’s very easy to understand his frustration, especially when you consider Botman often captains his side. A leader dropping out of the international squad doesn’t send a very good message.
But Botman’s decision is one that will hopefully benefit Newcastle. At £35million, he was a huge signing. There is hope that he will go on to become a real star in black and white.
If that happens, then this international decision shouldn’t hinder his future Netherlands prospects.
Botman has never played for the Dutch senior side, but it is surely inevitable if he plays well enough for Newcastle over the next 12 months. But to do that, he needs to nail down a place in the starting XI. And that isn’t going to be easy given the calibre of options Howe has at centre-back.
The former Lille man has received some heavy criticism from the Netherlands youth coach, so let’s hope it’s a decision he doesn’t go on to regret.
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