Valentijn Driessen has identified three PSV players who could feature in Xavi Hernández’s plans for the Netherlands after watching the champions beat Ajax 3-1 in Amsterdam.

Xavi Hernández’s first live viewing of an Eredivisie top clash provided plenty to assess as PSV claimed a 3-1 victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena.

For Valentijn Driessen, however, the quality of the contest left much to be desired. The De Telegraaf journalist believes the new Netherlands head coach would have been entertained by the first half but also surprised by the standard of the match.

“His first live introduction to the Eredivisie will not have gone down well for the new national team coach of the Netherlands. Admittedly, Xavi Hernandez was entertained in the first half, but at the same time he will have been shocked by the level of the top clash between Ajax and PSV”, Driessen said as quoted by PSV Inside.

Driessen argued that the number of chances and goals did not necessarily translate into a high-quality encounter.

“For the entertainment value of a match, it’s nice when, in one half, twelve fairly divided chances are played out together and three goals are scored. But that doesn’t automatically mean it’s good. Especially not when it’s a Dutch top clash.”

He felt the second half failed to maintain the intensity of the opening period.

“Then you can expect more than an open house like the one in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. When the chances and goals failed to materialize in the second half, the match slid to a deplorable level. Both clubs couldn’t escape it, although PSV compounded Ajax’s pain in the dying moments by extending the 2-1 halftime score to 3-1.”

Despite his criticism of the match, Driessen believes PSV provided Xavi with three potential candidates for the Netherlands squad.

“Within ninety minutes, in Xavi’s booklet under the heading candidate-internationals for Oranje there will be at most three names: Ruben van Bommel, Lutsharel Geertruida and Guus Til. The three PSV players didn’t reach their best level, but they were involved in the champion’s goals.”

Driessen was particularly positive about Geertruida, who made his PSV debut in the high-profile fixture after joining the club during the summer.

Van Bommel also attracted attention. The winger was heavily involved throughout the match and showed the attacking threat that has characterised his return following a serious knee injury.

However, Driessen believes the 22-year-old must control his temperament if he is to convince Xavi.

The journalist was critical of Van Bommel’s conduct during the heated second-half incident involving Ajax defender Aaron Bouwman.

“It would be fair if some people were called in front of the coach by their club. Or certainly by the trainers Bosz and Sanchez, although the Spaniard let himself go far too much. Anyone who cannot show discipline on or alongside the pitch will, in the end, cost his team dearly.”

Driessen acknowledged Van Bommel’s development since returning from his serious injury, while warning that his temperament could affect his international prospects.

“Van Bommel has developed since his return from a serious knee injury like a comet and also remained constantly threatening in the big clash. However, his short fuse won’t suit Xavi. It will be at the expense of his reliability, and if the Spaniard selects him then that winger will undoubtedly rub it under his nose.”

The De Telegraaf critic also recognised that Van Bommel can be provoked during intense matches but believes there is a line the PSV winger should not cross.

“Of course Van Bommel may fight back because he has to put up with a lot, but he doesn’t need to go over the line to bring out the best in himself.”

PSV’s 3-1 victory therefore provided Xavi with several names to consider, according to Driessen, with Van Bommel, Geertruida and Til emerging as the three Eindhoven players most likely to have caught the Netherlands coach’s attention.