This is Van Dijk’s new role in the Dutch national team during the 2020 European Cup

Jakarta –

Virgil van Dijk not really absent at Euro 2020. Dutch National Team gave a new role to the 29-year-old defender during the tournament.

The 2020/21 season did not go smoothly for van Dijk. Having only played five times in the Premier League, he had to be sidelined until the end of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered in the Everton vs Liverpool match in October.

The injury also crushed van Dijk’s dream of appearing in the 2020 European Cup. He has not fully recovered until now. In fact, he holds the status of captain of the Netherlands.

Even though I can’t register van Dijk to the tournament, but Coach Netherlands Frank de Boer did not then leave the foster child. Not only was he allowed to train with his teammates, de Boer also gave him the position of non-official staff, as reported daily Mirror.

Reportedly, the presence of van Dijk had a positive influence on the Dutch squad. He was also present to watch the Netherlands match during a trial against Scotland on 2 June.

“Virgil is very important to this squad, and a great motivator, which has always been important to the players over the last few years. The team loves his presence,” said de Boer.

Virgil van Dijk already captain Dutch National Team since 2018, after being appointed by the coach at that time, Ronald Koeman. He has played 38 times for the Oranje team since he was first called up in 2015 and has scored 4 goals, but has never appeared in a major tournament.

(adp/nds)

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