Former Dutch international Raphael Van Der Vaart says Nigeria international defender William Troost-Ekong would have been a regular for the Dutch team now if he hadn’t committed to Nigeria.
The Udinese defender was eligible for Nigeria and the Netherlands but picked Nigeria where he made his debut in 2013 and has risen to the role of vice captain of the team.
Van Der Vaart who now works as a television pundit first had contact with the Nigerian during his formative years at Tottenham Hotspur and claimed he advised him to return back to the Netherlands when it was clear that he wasn’t suited to the style of play at the club.
Speaking on the rise of the defender who is now an established international with the senior national team of Nigeria, Van Der Vaart said if he hadn’t rushed in pledging his future to Nigeria he would have been a part of the Dutch set up.
” Ekong has improved but still need to work hard on some areas. A decent player who could have been part of the Dutch team but he wasn’t patient and played for Nigeria instead. You can’t fault his decision because he has played at major tournament with Nigeria “, Van Der Vaart concluded.
