Willy and René van de Kerkhof were impressed by Ruben van Bommel’s starring role in PSV’s 5-1 win over FC Groningen. The PSV icons also welcomed Lutsharel Geertruida’s debut and demanded greater defensive concentration.

Ruben van Bommel was the standout performer as PSV swept aside FC Groningen 5-1, contributing to four of the five goals and earning the Star of the Match award.

The 22-year-old winger repeatedly exposed Groningen’s defence with his pace, direct running and ability in one-on-one situations. His substitution in the second half was greeted by loud chants of his name from the PSV crowd.

For Willy van de Kerkhof, the performance showed why Van Bommel can become an important figure in Eindhoven.

“The new René van de Kerkhof. Speed, ball past him... Only my brother couldn’t head the ball very well, and Van Bommel can,” Willy said on the Willy & René PSV Podcast from Omroep Brabant.

René, however, urged Van Bommel to maintain that level more consistently.

“One swallow does not make a summer. He has to show it more often now,” he said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

Willy also believes Van Bommel deserves consideration for the Netherlands squad.

“You just have to bring a guy like that in to get a feel for the atmosphere. I spoke to Patrick Lodewijks, the goalkeeper coach who stays with Oranje. He did say that a lot is going to change at Oranje. But beyond that he didn’t reveal anything, because he’s a goalkeeper, haha,” the Helmond native said.

Lutsharel Geertruida also made his PSV debut, entering a defence that had endured a difficult opening period against Groningen.

Willy felt the new arrival was needed, particularly after the visitors created two major chances in the opening 10 minutes.

“That defense, damn it, the first ten minutes they’re just asleep, man! Groningen got two big chances right away. You have to be sharp from the very first minute, well they weren’t!” Willy fumed.

The brothers also discussed Kodai Sano’s first start and compared his performance with Joey Veerman, who recently left PSV for Borussia Dortmund.

“That suited me well. That Sano kept going for ninety minutes. Joey didn’t,” they said.

Another talking point was the continued absence of Sven Mijnans from the starting XI. The €13 million signing from AZ remained on the bench throughout the victory.

“He has a very hard time, but he'll still get his chances,” the brothers concluded.

The 3-1 penalty converted by Ricardo Pepi also divided ESPN analysts Kenneth Perez and Marciano Vink.

Vink argued that football should remain a sport where defenders can commit to challenges without fearing every consequence.

“Football has to remain a sport where you dare to make a sliding challenge. You don't want defenders to start pulling their legs back during duels, the way they also put their hands behind their back,” he said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

Perez disagreed, arguing that Mark Csinger’s challenge on Guus Til deserved punishment.

“I’m glad that situations like this are punished with a penalty. He doesn’t even touch the ball here, does he? This teaches players to have control over their movements,” Perez said.

Vink remained unconvinced: “So you weren’t a defender then. You don’t always have control over the spot where your foot lands during a block. This also happens at the highest level, in the Premier League.”

Perez had the final word on the incident: “Til almost breaks his ankle here. It’s an reckless intervention. His timing is also completely wrong. He misses the ball entirely.”