Henk Spaan blends high praise with sharp wit, comparing the PSV winger’s brilliant Dutch debut to Luka Modrić while reigniting the criticism surrounding his controversial collision with Aaron Bouwman.
The Eredivisie has moved on since PSV’s victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena, but the controversy surrounding Ruben van Bommel and Aaron Bouwman has not disappeared entirely.
For some around Ajax, including Henk Spaan and club legend Sjaak Swart, the collision between the PSV winger and Bouwman is still a sensitive issue. Spaan has now returned to the incident in an unusual way while praising Van Bommel for his contribution to the Netherlands’ draw with Germany.
Writing in Het Parool, Spaan described the quality of Van Bommel’s assist for Cody Gakpo’s equaliser as a moment that had a major impact on him.
“It was the quality of that equalizer that had a huge impact on the dopamine levels in my blood,” Spaan wrote, as relayed by PSV Inside.
The columnist then detailed the PSV winger’s involvement in the goal, which came shortly after he replaced Noa Lang.
“Van Bommel started by stealing the ball from Gnabry’s feet; then he outpaced the talent with the annoying bandana, tapped the ball perfectly from his left to his right foot, at exactly the right angle.”
Spaan was particularly impressed by the final delivery. Van Bommel spotted Gakpo’s run before producing a superb outside-of-the-foot cross that allowed the Liverpool forward to finish.
“He had already spotted Gakpo, and he delivered the cross with the outside of his right foot, the way we know from Modrić and Cruyff. I think even Aaron Bouwman applauded,” Spaan added.
The reference was clearly linked to the collision between Van Bommel and Bouwman during PSV’s 3-1 victory in Amsterdam. Van Bommel was shown a yellow card for the challenge, while Bouwman required medical attention and later went to hospital for checks.
Van Bommel subsequently apologised to the Ajax defender and did not celebrate PSV’s victory.
Spaan’s latest comments therefore combine praise for a rapidly developing PSV talent with another reminder of an incident that continues to divide opinion around Ajax.
