Ex-Barcelona star slams Liverpool star for making ‘bad choice’; reveals transfer advice
Michael Reiziger thinks Ryan Gravenberch has made a “bad choice” by opting to remain at Liverpool rather than join up with the Netherlands squad for international duty,
The Reds signed Gravenberch on transfer deadline day in England with the Dutchman sealing a £35m move to the Premier League club.
Gravenberch was used as a squad player at Bayern Munich and had become unhappy at his lack of playing time under Thomas Tuchel following his move from Ajax last summer.
The Netherlands international will help Liverpool deal with the losses of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to Saudi Arabia and Gravenberch decided not to link up with the Dutch squad this week, choosing instead to stay on Merseyside and acclimatise to his new club.
And former Barcelona and Netherlands defender Reiziger thinks the Liverpool midfielder has made a poor choice to turn down the chance to play for his country this month.
“I don’t think it’s a good decision,” Reiziger told Dutch publication AD.
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“Young boys sometimes make bad choices. I believe it is an honor to represent your country. Players will sometimes also be disappointed that they are not in the big Dutch team.
“I understand that, because you want to achieve the highest possible result, but disappointment is part of football.
“I played five international matches for the Dutch Juniors. I saw that as an honor. It can be a steppingstone to more. If you feel that, you will experience beautiful things. I know this because I have experienced it myself. But I’ve only seen happy faces here.
“I advised him to go to a club where he will play. I also really hope for him that he will play at Liverpool. Of course, it is attractive to be at big clubs, but at this age it is not good if you don’t play for a long time.
“You learn a lot from the good players around you, but you have to experience situations in a match to learn certain things.”
Dutch legend Marco van Basten agrees with Reiziger and called Gravenberch’s decision to stay in Liverpool “inappropriate towards Dutch football”.
Van Basten said on TV show Voetbalzone: “It’s unacceptable. I can understand his reasons, but you just can’t do this. It’s inappropriate towards Dutch football, towards the Dutch squad. I don’t think it’s done, it shouldn’t be.”
