Donyell Malen’s Profile

DBasia.news –  The Dutch national team won 4-2 over Germany in the continuing European Championship Qualification 2020 match. Donyell Malen’s name came under the spotlight after he scored.

Among international matches, only a handful were able to match the rivalry between the Netherlands and Germany. In this fierce fight one name has stuck out, Donyell Malen.

At the 44th edition of the Netherlands against German match, Malen made his debut in the senior national team after previously always being a mainstay of the U-15 to U-21 teams.

Under Ronald Koeman, the Dutch national team carries an interesting game system in which they do not rely on pure center attackers. Koeman gave confidence to Memphis Depay as “false nine”. Evidently, in the last 17 matches Depay was able to score 11 goals.

Depay forced Luuk de Jong, who is a pure attacker, to sit on the bench. Even before, Bas Dost decided to retire from the national team as he was unable to compete with Depay.

Now, Depay and Luuk De Jong must always display high-level performance. The reason is, Koeman has found Donyell Malen, a player who could be a threat. The player from PSV Eindhoven is believed to present a fierce competition on the front lines of the Orange Team.

Headed to Arsenal because of Henry and Bergkamp

Born in Wieringen, Malen began his career at the Ajax Academy in 2007. In 2015 Malen decided to join Arsenal despite receiving offers from Manchester United and Chelsea. Malen chose Arsenal because Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp were at the club, ​​two of his idol players, played.

At Arsenal, Malen also signed his first professional contract a year later. But at Arsenal he also had unpleasant memories.

“I was said to be too fat. That was very surprising. Of course I have not been able to adjust to the level at Arsenal. I’m not very fit. But being too fat? No,” said Malen as quoted by Squawka.

Malen decided to leave from Arsenal and join PSV in 2017. An unfortunate decision for many Arsenal fans who saw his great potential. A loss for Arsenal, profits for PSV

Being positioned as a winger, Malen has the advantage to be played anywhere. No wonder he often runs behind the attacker’s position well. He even occasionally appears as an attacker.

Malen has now scored 11 goals and four assists in 1,434 minutes playing with PSV at the Eredivisie. In total Malen has scored 15 goals and nine assists in 57 PSV matches in all competitions. Achievements that has made him be glanced by Ronald Koeman, the Dutch coach.

Malen also paid the trust given to him with a goal against Germany, the true rival of the Netherlands. Malen is now the youngest player (20 years and 230 days) to score in the national team debut match after Ryan Babel (18 years and 97 days) in 2005.