As injury withdrawals force a squad reshuffle, Robert Maaskant justifies the PSV midfielder’s recall, citing his goal-scoring threat and tactical versatility as the Oranje’s most logical solution.
Robert Maaskant believes Guus Til’s inclusion in Xavi Hernández’s latest Netherlands squad is the “most logical solution” after the PSV midfielder was initially left out.
Til was not included when Xavi announced his first Oranje squad last Friday. His situation changed after Justin Kluivert and Donyell Malen withdrew, opening two places in the squad and leading to Til’s eventual selection.
The decision has generated some discussion among Dutch football supporters, with some Feyenoord fans arguing that Luciano Valente should have received the opportunity instead.
PSV head coach Peter Bosz had also expressed his surprise at Til’s original omission. Bosz questioned why the midfielder had not even received a phone call from Xavi or his staff explaining the decision, particularly given Til’s inclusion in the Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
For Maaskant, however, Til’s recall makes sense given the circumstances and the midfielder’s versatility.
“There are a number of options. You could also choose for a Valente,” Maaskant said on NOS Studio Sport Voetbal, as quoted by PSV Inside. “But I think in this case Til is the most logical solution, because he can play in the same position.”
Til Continues To Contribute For PSV
Til strengthened his case with another productive performance for PSV on Sunday, scoring twice against FC Twente despite his side eventually suffering a 3-2 defeat in Enschede.
His ability to contribute goals from midfield was one of the factors Maaskant highlighted when discussing the Netherlands selection.
“He also proved that he can score goals. Til never lets you down,” the former coach and current analyst added.
The 28-year-old has become an important component of Peter Bosz’s squad, regularly operating in advanced midfield positions and, when required, moving into the centre-forward role.
His latest Netherlands call-up therefore gives Til another opportunity to work under Xavi after the initial disappointment of being omitted from the Spaniard’s first selection.
With Kluivert and Malen withdrawing, Xavi ultimately opted for a player who can provide positional flexibility and has already demonstrated his ability to contribute goals at club level.
For Til, the circumstances surrounding the recall may not have been straightforward, but the selection provides another chance to establish himself under the new Netherlands coach.
