PSV will return to Eredivisie action next Friday when Peter Bosz’s side welcomes SC Heerenveen to the Philips Stadium, with Ivan Perisic among the players expected to return from international duty.

The match, scheduled for 8 p.m., brings an end to a lengthy international period during which several PSV players represented their countries. For Perisic, the break ended on a difficult note with Croatia suffering two heavy defeats.

Former PSV coach Aad de Mos believes the experienced winger will be pleased to return to Eindhoven, where he can operate in a role that better suits his strengths.

Croatia began the international period positively, beating the Czech Republic 2-1. However, the results quickly turned sour.

World champions Spain defeated Croatia 4-1 in Seville before England inflicted an even heavier defeat last weekend, winning 7-0.

De Mos believes Perisic will welcome the return to PSV, particularly given the difference he sees between the current Croatian team and Bosz’s side.

“It is a team that is stronger than the national team of Croatia at this moment. They are all older players who are on their last legs,” De Mos said in a video item for Eindhovens Dagblad with PSV watcher Rik Elfrink.

“Those English have knocked them out in an incredible way. Then you are glad to be back in the nest, where a lot of football is played.”

For De Mos, Perisic’s role against England also highlighted why the Croatian is better suited to playing further forward for PSV.

Perisic was deployed as a left-back against England, a position that differs significantly from his usual role at PSV.

De Mos believes that difference is important when assessing the 37-year-old's impact.

“Here he can dominate, and of course this is where he’s at his best,” he said.

“He played as a left-back against Saka, which is also a role he doesn’t have at Eindhoven.”

At PSV, Perisic has greater freedom to move forward and influence matches in the attacking half. De Mos pointed to the distance the winger can cover when pushing forward and the opportunities he has to deliver from wide areas.

“Here he pushes forward forty to fifty meters. Then it’s giving four or five crosses, and for the rest it might be defending once or twice,” De Mos explained, as quoted by PSV Inside.

The assessment underlines the contrast between Perisic's responsibilities with Croatia and those he has at PSV. While international duty saw him asked to deal with one of England's most dangerous attackers from a deeper position, his club role allows him to spend more time in advanced areas.

Perisic will now return to Eindhoven with PSV preparing for the resumption of their domestic campaign.

Bosz’s side faces Heerenveen at the Philips Stadium next Friday, with the focus switching back to the Eredivisie after the international interruption.

For Perisic, the fixture also offers a return to the role De Mos believes brings out the best in him: pushing forward, creating chances and influencing the game from a more advanced position.

With PSV back in action, the Croatian will once again have the opportunity to operate in familiar surroundings and in a system where De Mos believes he can make a greater impact.