Malen's renewed brilliance in Rome contrasts with Netherlands frustration
The Dutch national team overwhelmed Greece yesterday with a 7-0 victory, with Tijjani Reijnders scoring a hat-trick and Donyell Malen scoring only once.
First goal after a year
That was Malen's first goal for the Netherlands in over a year.
Wim Kieft writes in his column that Malen, since his transfer in January from Aston Villa to AS Roma, is “completely loose” and scores “on the assembly line”.
Last season he recorded fifteen goals and two assists in twenty matches; this season he already has twelve goals and four assists in fourteen matches.
Stagnating Netherlands production
In Rome the number nine is therefore doing fine, but for the Netherlands his production stalled completely in 2026: no goals in seven internationals.
Nevertheless he earned the full confidence of head coach Ronald Koeman and started in the lineup during four friendly internationals against Norway, Ecuador, Algeria and Uzbekistan, as well as in the three group matches at the World Cup.
Donyell Malen shines for the Netherlands after Roma goal, two assists
Kieft concludes that the lack of goals put him on the bench against Morocco, with Koeman choosing Weghorst as a substitute.
He praises Malen as a quick, agile, technical striker who repeatedly scores easily in Italy.
According to Kieft, Xavi Hernández, who has undoubtedly seen Malen's development at Roma, should wonder why he does not score as much for the Netherlands.
In his first international period Malen missed out due to an injury, but he is now fully fit and continues to score in Rome.
Netherlands dominates Greece and moves closer to the quarter-finals
Malen is currently 27 years old; he will turn 28 in January. His Dutch career, with 56 caps and thirteen goals, remains a mystery, possibly due to his personality and the pressure at the Netherlands.
Kieft hopes that Malen can make a fresh start under Xavi; one goal could lift the heavy burden from his shoulders and give Xavi a fine striker who especially thrives in a free role at the tip of the attack.
The newspaper also reports that when the paper went to press the Nations League match between the Netherlands and Greece had not yet finished, allowing Malen to score later after all.