PSV icon Luc Nilis has questioned whether Ricardo Pepi is currently good enough to lead the line for the Eindhoven club, while also revealing the work behind his own renowned finishing ability.

Nilis, who represented PSV between 1994 and 2000, became a firm favourite during his time at the club. The Belgian later returned in two spells as a striker coach after his playing career was brought to an abrupt end by a serious leg injury suffered while playing for Aston Villa.

Speaking on the De Rood Wit Podcast, Nilis was asked about Pepi and whether the American is currently performing at the required level for PSV.

Pepi endured a difficult campaign last season, with injuries disrupting his rhythm while Guus Til was also regularly preferred as the central striker.

Former PSV midfielder Tommie van der Leegte questioned Pepi's overall contribution when he is not scoring.

“If Pepi doesn’t score, then you don’t really have much to show for it. I sometimes miss a striker who can play football. If Pepi scores every week you won’t hear a word from me, but if he doesn’t score you simply don’t have enough of him,” Van der Leegte said.

Nilis acknowledged the point before offering his own assessment.

“It makes sense that you think that, because you are used to Saibari,” he said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

Asked directly whether he believed Pepi was good enough for PSV at present, Nilis was clear.

“I have an opinion about it based on what I see, but I don’t work with him every day. I also have to keep a bit of correctness towards him. Based on what I see, I say: it’s not good enough.”

Nilis stressed that his judgement was based solely on what he sees during matches.

“I don't know his specific qualities. If you work with him every day, you might see it, but that doesn't come out in the match. That can be the case. But what I see for now, I don't think is good enough.”

The former striker also acknowledged that there could be factors he cannot assess from the outside, including Pepi's mental state or injury problems.

Nilis then returned to Saibari, highlighting the high standard he associates with the PSV forward.

“Of course he is here for a reason and has an incredible number of qualities, but if I then have to mention Saibari... Then it's very difficult for me to speak positively about Pepi, because Saibari was for me top of the bill.”

Nilis also explained how he developed one of the most recognisable strengths of his game: his finishing and free-kick technique.

The Belgian revealed that repetition after training was central to his development.

“I practiced after every training session with finishing. From every angle, I shot about fifty balls. I needed that,” Nilis explained.

That routine gave him confidence in matches.

“I always did it in the same way, because I just knew I would score.”

Nilis believes finishing is less about natural talent than repetition and technique.

“I never looked at a goalkeeper or at the wall. It was really a matter of training. There’s nothing of talent in it. You play with the ball, so make sure you don’t lose contact with that ball.”

Nilis' influence also extends to former teammates, with Mark van Bommel naming him as the best player he ever played alongside.

Van Bommel shared dressing rooms with some of football's biggest names, including Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller, Franck Ribery, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o.

Yet Nilis remains his No.1.

“The Brazilian connection at PSV was very nice. After that I played at Barcelona with Ronaldinho. But I have to correct you. Ronaldinho is in my top five of best footballers I have ever played with, but the very best for me is Luc Nilis,” Van Bommel said.

“I’ve said that myself many times already. And I’m not saying it now because he’s Belgian, you see. Unfortunately, I only played with him for one year, but Luc was, for me, the best in everything.”

For Nilis, his legacy at PSV therefore extends beyond the goals and free-kicks that made him a fan favourite. His approach to finishing and the regard in which he is held by former teammates continue to shape his reputation at the club.