With former PSV manager Phillip Cocu taking over at English Championship club Derby County, we take a look at four ex-PSV players who Cocu may target to strengthen his new team.

  • by Michael Statham
  • Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike

Jeffrey Bruma

Whilst he played in the Netherlands, Bruma was a beast of a defender. Cocu played the centre-back week-in week-out for three years in the heart of PSV’s defence, earning two Eredivisie titles and a Champions League quarter-final. Despite Bruma perhaps being put off by playing in the English Championship, Derby would offer the 27-year-old regular playing time following three inconsistent years in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg and Schalke.

Daniel Schwaab

Bruma’s replacement at PSV was Schwaab. The tall German centre-back has spent the last three years in Eindhoven, but decided to leave after his contract expired in the summer. At 30, Schwaab is an experienced defender but perhaps lacks a little pace. However, a free transfer that would be a no-brainer if Schwaab was interested too.

Marco van Ginkel

Van Ginkel is a 26-year-old midfielder, who is known for making his name at Vitesse Arnhem before transferring to Chelsea in 2013 and enduring six years of limbo. Loans with Stoke and AC Milan displayed little; but he did shine with PSV under Cocu. Two half-season loans were followed by an impressive 17/18 campaign, where van Ginkel bagged 14 goals to seal the Eredivisie title. Unfortunately, another injury plagued his 18/19 campaign with Chelsea, setting back van Ginkel’s career once more. A move to Derby may give him the platform to succeed, and Derby a replacement for Mason Mount.

Bart Ramselaar

Ramselaar is a 23-year-old midfielder who still plays for PSV, but is hugely out of favour. He broke onto the scene with Utrecht in 14/15, before earning a big transfer to PSV in the summer of 2016. Cocu played him regularly for the two years they worked together in Eindhoven, including a handful of Champions League appearances. Last season, though, new manager Mark van Bommel harshly cast Ramselaar aside, as he did not see the midfielder as part of his plans. Ramselaar is keen to leave the Netherlands; a loan to Derby may be the answer.




Michael Statham (800 Posts)

Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.