Ryan Gravenberch draws criticism from Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman

Ryan Gravenberch draws criticism from Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman after REJECTING international call-up to stay with Liverpool: ‘We are not happy’

• Gravenberch rejected the call-up to focus on settling in at new club Liverpool
• He has 11 caps for his country but has recently been playing for the Under 21 side
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off 

Ronald Koeman has led the criticism aimed at Ryan Gravenberch after the new Liverpool midfielder rejected his latest international call-up.

Gravenberch had been named in the Netherlands U21 side for the upcoming international break for their games against Moldova and North Macedonia in Euro U21 qualifying, but rejected the call in order to focus on Liverpool.

He has just joined the Reds in a £35million move from Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day last week, and told the Dutch FA that he wanted to prioritise adapting to his new club during the Premier League’s two-week hiatus and therefore made himself unavailable for selection.

Though the news may come as a blessing to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who will have his new midfielder working at the club while the majority of his team-mates are away, the decision hasn’t gone down well in the Netherlands camp.

Senior manager Koeman said that he was ‘not happy with Ryan Gravenberch refusing to play for his country’ – adding that his assistant Nigel de Jong had contacted the Liverpool man regarding the decision – while U21 assistant manager Michael Reiziger also slammed the decision.

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has drawn criticism after rejecting his latest international call-up

The 21-year-old turned down the chance to represent the Netherlands U21 side over the international break

Your browser does not support iframes.

‘I don’t think it’s a good decision, I told him that. I really don’t think it’s good’, Reiziger said via VI.

‘For a national team, for your country, you have to play with your heart. Not with your head. So you really have to want to be there. That is just important to me. He has made his decision to stay in Liverpool to acclimatise. I know Ryan, he is a good and likeable boy, but he made the wrong choice here.

‘If you can play for a national team, that is an honor. That should make you proud. There are no concessions involved. That goes for everyone, not just Ryan. A player who joins the Dutch Juniors must come with his heart and must fight for his country. The players who play with their heart always get something more out of it. As a trainer you also benefit from this.

‘If you think it is nice and non-binding, then you are wrong. Nothing is optional at the top. And you are playing with the best in the Netherlands here, so it is certainly not without obligation. For me this is not a statement, because then it would have already been played. More of a principle that I pass on to all my players. Playing for the Dutch Juniors is an honor and you do that with your heart.’

Men’s senior manager Ronald Koeman said he is ‘not happy’ with Gravenberch’s decision

U21 assistant manager Michael Reiziger (right) said that the call-up is not meant to be ‘optional’

Gravenberch has 11 caps for his country’s senior team but was left out of the World Cup squad for the tournament in Qatar by former manager Louis van Gaal in the winter last year.

10 of his 11 caps came in 2021, with his lack of appearances coinciding with his limited opportunities at Bayern Munich after success at Ajax and before his move to Liverpool.

Though the 21-year-old will hope to rejoin the senior Netherlands team sooner rather than later with a fresh start with the Reds, he’s got off on the wrong foot by frustrating the nation’s senior manager with his decision.

The next international break is scheduled for the start of October, week commencing October 2, though it is unclear if Gravenberch will be selected or decide to return to representing his country.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

Your browser does not support iframes.

Source: Read Full Article