Pascal Struijk has been in limelight for quite a while owing to his nationalities and his preference over representation. The 23-years-old, who plays at different positions and is a versatile option that the majority of managers would appreciate having – was born in Belgium but grew up in the Netherlands where he represented Ajax during his youth days.
With World Cup right around the corner, Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk seems to have made his decision to move ahead with Netherlands, a place which he called home growing up. Speaking about picking the Netherlands instead of Belgium with Dutch publication Algemeen Dagblad, he said, “I think I have now made my choice clear. I want to play for Oranje. It would also not be fair to both coaches, and to the fans of Oranje and Belgium if I first say that I will play for Oranje and then suddenly choose Belgium. Or vice versa. That would not be fair.
“I would be super happy and proud if I were there. But the only way I can influence someone’s choice is through the way I play. So, I try to play the best I can. I try to reach my highest level and give the maximum and I’ll see what his choice becomes. If I’m there, great. If I’m not there, then I’m not.”
Pascal Struijk has been named in the Netherlands provisional squad of 39 players. Speaking about having his name in the provisional squad for the Oranje, he said “It means a lot to me. It’s the first time I’ve been in the pre-selection at all. I was met by the media manager after the training and he told me the news.
“My phone was full of messages and then I felt like a small child. It is very nice to experience and now just hope that I am in the final selection. If I’m in that selection, I also choose the Netherlands. That’s my first choice.”
Netherlands Preliminary Squad
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Jasper Cillessen (NEC Nijmegen), Mark Flekken (Freiburg), Andries Noppert (Heerenveen), Remko Pasveer (Ajax Amsterdam).
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax Amsterdam), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Bruno Martins Indi (AZ Alkmaar), Devyne Rensch (Ajax Amsterdam), Pascal Struijk (Leeds United), Jurrien Timber (Ajax Amsterdam), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool).
Midfielders: Steven Berghuis (Ajax Amsterdam), Jordy Clasie (AZ Alkmaar), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich), Davy Klaassen (Ajax Amsterdam), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax Amsterdam), Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Steven Bergwijn, Brian Brobbey (both Ajax Amsterdam), Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven), Vincent Janssen (Royal Antwerp), Wout Weghorst (Besiktas).
