Ronald Koeman has discussed the battle between Netherlands and Morocco to secure the international future of PSV Eindhoven midfielder Mohamed Ihattaren.
- Follow Football-Oranje on Twitter
Mohamed Ihattaren is a Netherlands youth international but was included in Morocco’s 46-man provisional squad for their upcoming September friendlies.
Asked about Ihattaren, Koeman told Studio Voetbal that the 17-year-old wouldn’t be able to play for Morocco in September anyway, “That is not possible at all, because he has to make a choice first. He doesn’t want to do that yet. He is a ‘football Dutchman’. If he wants to choose Morocco, he has to go the whole way. He has to apply for that, officially. I don’t know how it all works either. That has to do with a permit. Then he wouldn’t be allowed to play for Morocco in September. ”
Koeman has spoken regularly with Ihattaren, his family and PSV but admits the decision lies with the youngster, ‘We have contacts with them (Ihattaren and his entourage) And we also play this via PSV. I am in contact with Mark van Bommel, about how he develops and why he does or does not play. We look at that. We have at least shown our interest to him, that we see him as a future player for the Dutch national team. But the player and his family are going to determine it, we can’t do anything about it. “
Ihattaren was called into the Netherlands U21 provisional squad for the first time last week.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
