PSV Eindhoven’s disappointing start to the 2026-27 season has left former club stars Willy and René van de Kerkhof deeply frustrated.

After suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to AZ in the Johan Cruyff Shield, the Eredivisie champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Fortuna Sittard in their opening league match at the Philips Stadion.

For the Van de Kerkhof brothers, the early struggles are partly down to decisions made by the PSV leadership.

PSV brought in Sven Mijnans relatively early in the summer, but Kodai Sano and Filip Kostic arrived too late to feature against Fortuna.

Willy believes the club could already have benefited from having further reinforcements available.

“If you had had one or two guys here on time, they could have played on Saturday,” Willy said on Omroep Brabant’s Willy and René Podcast, as relayed by soccernews. “And maybe they would have made the difference.”

The former PSV midfielder acknowledged the financial considerations involved in recruitment but argued that the club must sometimes be prepared to act decisively.

“Of course, you shouldn't just spend 25 million. But sometimes you just have to say: 'we'll do it,' instead of constantly waiting, waiting, waiting.”

Willy also warned that PSV could quickly find themselves playing catch-up if results do not improve.

“If things go wrong against Excelsior on Saturday, you could already be four or five points behind.”

René was equally direct, pointing to the money PSV received from the sale of Ismael Saibari.

“You got 50 million for Saibari, didn't you? You should be allowed to do something with that.”

PSV are still looking to strengthen at centre-back, with the brothers discussing a possible move for Geertruida.

“If Geertruida joins, then with Dest, Kostic, and Gasiorowski, you have a good defense,” they said.

Ryan Flamingo, meanwhile, came in for particular criticism after his error contributed to Fortuna’s opening goal.

“When you see Flamingo for the first goal… I would have substituted him immediately,” Willy said. “He could have seen from the bench how it should be done.”

The Van de Kerkhof brothers also expressed their support for Couhaib Driouech leaving PSV, with several clubs reportedly showing interest in the winger.

“There are plenty of clubs that want him, Celta de Vigo has also entered the fray, so get rid of him!” René said.

Willy was equally emphatic, although he wished the Morocco international well in his next move.

“Get out of here! I really wish him all the best, but he needs to go play somewhere else. He won't get a chance here.”

PSV and Rangers are closing in on a deal for Couhaib Driouech, with the two clubs understood to have reached an oral agreement in principle.

According to transfer journalist Mounir Boualin of Soccernews.nl, PSV will receive around €8.5 million for the 24-year-old winger, who still has a contract with the Eindhoven club until the summer of 2029.

Driouech joined PSV from Excelsior in the summer of 2024 for approximately €4 million but was unable to establish himself as a regular starter during his time at the Philips Stadion.

PSV’s next opportunity to respond comes away at Excelsior on Saturday, with pressure already building after a difficult start to their title defence.