Peter Bosz has highlighted Sergiño Dest's growing influence at PSV, describing the American international as a player whose attacking qualities make him far more valuable than a conventional right-back.

Dest has been part of the PSV setup since the summer of 2023, initially arriving on loan from Barcelona before completing a permanent move in 2024. Since then, he has established himself as an important figure under Bosz, who has given the defender considerable freedom to contribute in attacking areas.

Speaking to Voetbal International, the PSV manager explained why restricting Dest to defensive responsibilities would mean wasting one of his team's most creative players.

“Keeping Sergiño to only defending would be a shame. He is precisely a player who can create something,” Bosz said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

The coach believes Dest's ability to turn away from opponents quickly and carry the ball into advanced positions can create numerical advantages for PSV, opening spaces and giving the team additional attacking options.

“He can quickly turn away and thereby suddenly create a numerical advantage. It would be a shame to only have him do that in the low build-up,” Bosz explained.

He also pointed to PSV's recent meeting with Club Brugge as an example of how Dest can influence attacking situations by drawing opponents towards him and creating opportunities for teammates.

“We try to put him in that position as much as possible. That said, it always depends on how an opponent plays and how we want to apply pressure. Do we do it through the axis, via the left or right side? We vary that sometimes,” the manager added.

Voetbal International describes Dest as something of a wildcard, capable of adding an extra dimension to PSV's attacking play from deeper positions. His involvement is reflected in his statistics, with only captain Mauro Júnior recording more touches of the ball for PSV this season.

Bosz also recalled Dest's importance during his first season at the club, when the American frequently operated as a left-back. From that position, he would move inside and use his stronger right foot to influence the game.

“He is a difference-maker. That was already the case in our first year here, when he played on the left side. Then he would often move inside and come out on his stronger right foot. Against Brugge, he often came out with his left,” Bosz said.

The PSV manager believes his full-backs have played a significant role in the club's attacking success over recent seasons. He pointed to Jordan Teze's crossing from the right, Dest's contributions from the left and, more recently, the combinations involving Dest, Mauro Júnior and Anass Salah-Eddine.

“You can make the difference in different ways,” Bosz concluded.

Dest's development highlights the importance of versatility in Bosz's system. Rather than simply providing defensive cover, the American is encouraged to move into different spaces, carry possession and help PSV create overloads.

His freedom is not unlimited, however. Bosz makes clear that Dest's positioning depends on the opponent's structure and the team's pressing strategy.

That tactical flexibility has helped turn the defender into one of PSV's most influential links, with his attacking instincts offering Bosz another way to unsettle opposition defences.