Willem van Hanegem has defended Lutsharel Geertruida after the former Feyenoord player’s controversial move to PSV.

The club icon also hit back at supporters who believe they should decide where players continue their careers.

Lutsharel Geertruida’s loan move from RB Leipzig to PSV has dominated the conversation in Rotterdam in recent days. The defender, who came through Feyenoord’s academy and established himself as a key figure at De Kuip, has faced a wave of criticism and insults from sections of the Feyenoord fanbase.

But one of the club’s most respected figures has offered a very different perspective.

Willem van Hanegem believes Geertruida’s decision to join PSV is understandable, particularly after Feyenoord made it clear that signing him was not financially feasible.

Writing in his column for Algemeen Dagblad, Van Hanegem acknowledged why some Feyenoord supporters were disappointed.

“This week I often heard that Lutsharel Geertruida is no real Feyenoorder anymore. Or even has ever been. He made his debut against FC Groningen for PSV. I also understand that many people find that a shame and would much rather have seen him return to Rotterdam. That boy grew up next to De Kuip, broke through from the youth academy, and nobody will have forgotten his goal against Ajax in the year in which the national title was won,” Van Hanegem wrote.

However, the Feyenoord icon pointed towards comments made by coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who confirmed that the club had been in contact with Geertruida but could not complete the deal because of its finances.

“Now he plays for PSV, but people will surely understand that he would have preferred to return to Feyenoord? And if they don't understand, they should listen to Giovanni van Bronckhorst. There was contact with Geertruida, but Feyenoord couldn't sign him,” wrote the 82-year-old former midfielder, as quoted by PSV Inside.

Van Hanegem also questioned the idea that supporters should determine what is best for a footballer’s career.

“They already had plenty of players for the positions where he plays, and the money to bring him in wasn’t there either. Then there is little else possible for that young man than to go and play for PSV,” he said.

He added: “That’s only for the players themselves to decide, not the people in the stands or at the table on a talk show that is about football.”

Meanwhile, PSV’s interest in another former player, Sam Lammers, has also sparked debate.

Eindhovens Dagblad reported that Lammers has emerged as an option for Peter Bosz, although PSV had not yet contacted FC Twente about a possible deal. The striker currently faces competition from Wout Weghorst at De Grolsch Veste.

Former PSV striker Wim Kieft believes Lammers is among the best footballing forwards in the Eredivisie.

“Sam Lammers is perhaps the best footballing striker in the Netherlands. Maybe I’ll remember another one too,” Kieft said on NOS Studio Sport Voetbal, as relayed by PSV Inside.

However, he does not expect Lammers to return to Eindhoven.

“Lammers is a bit like Dolberg. A bit limp. He isn’t consistent, a nice player, but he still isn’t going to PSV. That doesn’t seem to me,” Kieft added.

With Alassane Pléa sidelined for around six weeks, Ricardo Pepi is currently the only recognised senior striker available to Bosz.

According to Eindhovens Dagblad, as relayed by PSV Inside, Lammers remains one of the main options alongside NEC winger Sami Ouaissa. PSV are also monitoring Mikkel Bro Hansen, while Esmir Bajraktarević could still leave.

Lammers’ agent is expected to assess whether a move to PSV is realistic in the coming days.

“His agent is looking in the coming days to see whether a deal is within the realm of possibility and whether PSV would want to pay that,” the Eindhovens Dagblad reported.

For Geertruida, meanwhile, the message from Van Hanegem is clear: his career remains his own to shape.