Derby County opinion: Cocu’s reunion with Ramselaar could work wonders
According to Derbyshire Live, Derby County have been liked with a move for PSV Eindhoven midfielder Bart Ramselaar, with the report claiming that new Rams boss Phillip Cocu is keen to reunite with his former player at Pride Park this summer.
Cocu was the man responsible for bringing Ramselaar to PSV Eindhoven from fellow Eredivisie outfit FC Utrecht in 2016 and the duo won the Dutch domestic title in the 2017-18 season.
With Cocu looking to build a squad in his own image to challenge for promotion next term, the 23-year-old might be set for a sensational reunion with his former manager in the EFL Championship, having been deemed surplus to demands by current PSV gaffer Mark van Bommel.
Ramselaar made only 4 substitute appearances for PSV in the Eredivisie the last term and featured largely for the reserve side in the second-tier, playing a ridiculously low 22 minutes of first-team football in the league.
A youth product of Utrecht, Ramselaar rose to prominence in his homeland with his boyhood club and netted 10 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions before earning a move to heavyweights PSV in the summer of 2016.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder was an important squad player during Cocu’s reign at the Philips Stadium but he has slipped down the pecking order drastically ever since his departure.
Ramselaar has accumulated 7 goals and 6 assists in 76 appearances for Eindhoven in all competitions till date, figures which are not really impressive.
Ramselaar earned 21 caps for The Netherlands from U-19 to U-21 levels before making his senior international debut for his nation in 2016.
The attacking midfielder has accumulated 3 senior caps for the Netherlands till date but a reunion with Cocu at Pride Park might as well work wonders for his faltering career and help him get back in the reckoning for a spot in the national set-up.
To put things into perspective, Derby County are yet to flex their muscles to a large extent in the summer transfer window, with the arrival of Graeme Shinnie on a free transfer from Aberdeen being the only notable piece of business for the Rams.
However, they have been linked with several players over the past week or so and the fans would probably get to see some fresh faces coming through the door before the deadline in August.
Dealing with the departure of star loanees Fikayo Tomori, Harry Wilson and Mason Mount continues to be Cocu’s prime priority this summer and the acquisition of Bart Ramselaar could help the Rams plug some of the holes in their attacking ranks.
A sharp and agile player blessed with a good turn of pace and the innate ability to work the spaces in the final third, the 23-year-old Dutchman is capable of playing in a central attacking role behind the striker, whilst also possessing the versatility to operate in a wide role.
It remains to be seen as to what kind of philosophy Cocu brings at Pride Park next season. After all, he carved out a reputation for his attractive style of play during his successful stint at PSV Eindhoven and the fans will be hoping to see something similar.
Ramselaar was once very highly-rated in Dutch football but his stocks have dwindled drastically over the past 12 months and a reunion with Cocu could work wonders for all parties involved.
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That said, Derby County should go all out in their pursuit of the Dutch international this summer, as the Rams prepare themselves for yet another promotion onslaught next term.