Bruggink dismisses Eredivisie route to Oranje call

Arnold Bruggink stated that reaching the Netherlands national team via the Eredivisie is a ‘passed station’.

The analyst argued that this is why players such as Luciano Valente and Kees Smit were not included in Ronald Koeman’s World Cup squad.

Bruggink emphasized the decreasing standard of the Dutch top flight, linking it directly to the reduced pathway for domestic-based players into Oranje.

He highlighted that the current Eredivisie level no longer aligns with the demands of international football.

Bruggink’s remarks came ahead of the Netherlands’ World Cup preparations under Koeman.

Valente, 24, plays for FC Emmen, while Smit, 22, represents FC Twente.