After seizing a late call-up, the relentless midfielder is silencing critics by delivering decisive assists and proving his indispensable value to the Dutch national team's new era.
Guus Til has taken his opportunity with the Netherlands after being called into Xavi Hernandez’s squad following Justin Kluivert’s withdrawal.
The PSV midfielder was initially left out of the squad but has since made an impact during the opening Nations League fixtures. Til came on alongside Ruben van Bommel against Germany last Thursday before featuring again in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Serbia in Belgrade.
In Serbia, Til played a decisive role in the winning goal. Joey Veerman found him with a well-weighted pass, before Til set up AZ striker Mexx Meerdink, who finished to secure all three points for Oranje.
His contribution has caught the attention of De Telegraaf journalists Mike Verweij and Valentijn Driessen.
“He is a very useful player, but normally Justin Kluivert would also have been there. So he should normally make way for him,” Verweij said on De Telegraaf’s Kick-off podcast, as quoted by PSV Inside.
“Til has now certainly been important. He also now had a big hand in Meerdink’s goal. It was a good ball from Veerman on the tie of Til. He sets it up for Meerdink, who finishes it brilliantly.”
Verweij also highlighted Til’s consistency, pointing to his ability to contribute even when his club situation has changed.
“Til actually always delivers. Even when he was on the bench at PSV, people said: just wait, he’ll come good again. That’s how it is. In my opinion, he’s a player you always want to have in your team.”
Driessen agreed that Til has made the most of his opportunity.
“Kluivert of course cannot prove himself at the moment that he is not there. That is, of course, a problem and Til has made the most of it. You ultimately step in for that assist to Meerdink,” he said.
Til’s assist has therefore strengthened his case during the first matches of Xavi’s reign, although Kluivert’s eventual return will add another layer to the competition for attacking positions.
