Nilis says Pepi is not good enough for PSV as Saibari shines

Luc Nilis, the Belgian club icon, openly criticised PSV striker Ricardo Pepi on the Rood Wit Podcast, saying the 23‑year‑old is not good enough, while his teammate Ismael Saibari continues to thrive.

Nilis’ candid assessment

During a two‑minute segment, Nilis admitted he does not consider Pepi fit for PSV at the moment. He explained that, based on what he sees, "it is not good enough" and that he cannot judge Pepi’s specific qualities without working with him daily.

Nilis added that he must remain respectful towards the American international, noting he does not train with him every day and therefore can only comment from the outside.

Saibari’s contrasting form

Nilis highlighted that Pepi’s performances pale next to Saibari’s, describing Saibari as "top of the bill" for him. He said, "If you are used to Saibari, it is hard for me to speak positively about Pepi." The midfielder’s remarks underscored Saibari’s strong influence in PSV’s attack.

Former PSV player Tommie van der Leegte, who has previously been critical of the American, echoed similar concerns, stating that without goals Pepi offers little value.

When pressed for his personal view, Nilis paused before answering, stressing that his judgment is based on observation rather than daily collaboration. He questioned whether Pepi’s issues might be mental or injury‑related, but admitted he cannot assess that from the outside.

Marcel Brands defended Pepi, claiming he has rarely seen a player finish as consistently as Pepi does. Nonetheless, Nilis concluded that Pepi still possesses power but has yet to deliver the expected results.