Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has explained that Steven Bergwijn’s transfer from Ajax to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad is the reason behind his omission from the Oranje squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League ties against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany, Afrosport reports.
Bergwijn has been a key part of the Dutch squad under Koeman, playing twice in their run to the Euro 2024 semi-finals this summer.
He however joined Al-Ittihad from Ajax in a €21 million deal on Monday, continuing the trend of seeing players at the peak of their careers leave Europe for the lucrative Saudi Pro League, a notion that Koeman believes motivated Bergwijn.
“Well, luckily, not everyone thinks that way [taking big wages and playing in Saudi Arabia], and I think when you are 26, the most important ambition should be sporting and not financial,” Koeman said.
“And if it is financially England, then that is an entirely different story than financially Saudi. But those are choices that players make. I have never been in that situation because I went to Barcelona. I don’t think Steven would have gone to Saudi Arabia if he could have a chance to go to Barcelona.”
One notable Dutch player who plies his trade in Saudi Arabia and was included in Koeman’s squad is Georginio Wijnaldum. Koeman however asserted that the former Liverpool midfielder’s case differs from Bergwijn’s.
“Yes, but I don’t think you should compare the two situations. Yes and no. I have explained that once, too. Georginio [Wijnaldum] went [to Saudi Arabia] because he had a problem at Paris Saint-Germain, the only country where he could go to play football, at least until January was there, he added.
“Different age, but that is not the case for Steven Bergwijn. He is 26 even. Okay, it’s not sporting ambition that predominates.”
Bergwijn has earned 35 caps for the Netherlands, scoring eight goals and providing three assists.
