DREAM WORLD CUP DEBUT FOR NETHERLANDS’ CODY GAKPO COULD PAY OFF AS PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS START TO CIRCLE
Netherlands striker Cody Gakpo has been the breakout star of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar so far. The 23-year-old has scored in all three group-stage matches, becoming the first Dutch player in history to do so in a World Cup tournament, and is now tied with Netherlands legend Johann Cryuff for World Cup goals with three.
All three of Gakpo’s markers in the tournament were well-taken goals that proved crucial for Louis Van Gaal’s men as the European country cruised into the Round of 16 atop Group A with a 7-point total. The PSV Eindhoven striker showcased his versatile goal-scoring ability by scoring all three of his goals in different manner; one using his head, the other with his left foot, and another with his strong right foot. Gakpo is now the tournament’s top scorer tied with England’s Marcus Rashford, Ecuador’s Enner Valencia, and France’s Kylian Mbappe.
The Eindhoven-born striker has proved he has a knack for goalscoring and so far owns the tournament’s second-fastest goal which came just 6 minutes into the 1-1 draw against Ecuador on November 25. He’s also only the second player to open the scoring three times in the same group stage of a World Cup, after Alessandro Altobelli for Italy in 1986.
Gakpo’s tally for the season now improves to 18 goals and 18 assists in 32 appearances for both club and country, as the young forward keeps going from strength to strength. The 2021/22 Eredivisie Player of the Year has both Ghanaian and Togolese roots and was eligible to represent one of Ghana, Togo, and the Netherlands before choosing the latter. With his three goals in the group stage thus far, Gakpo now joins Dutch legends Johan Neeskens, Dennis Bergkamp, and Wesley Sneijder as the only Netherlands internationals to score in three consecutive World Cup games.
The two-time Eredivisie Player of the Month’s performances at the World Cup in Qatar haven’t gone unnoticed and have sparked interest all over Europe. For the past 8 months, Manchester United have been linked with the Dutch talent and were planning to make a move for him in the summer of 2023 with Gakpo’s PSV Eindhoven reportedly looking for a fee in the region of £51.8 million (€60 million/ $62 million) for the striker-cum-winger. However, as per European transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, United manager Erik Ten Hag is now discussing with the club’s board about the possibility of signing Gakpo in January now that his World Cup performances have become a factor in his transfer.
While Gakpo’s goal-scoring ability is undeniable, the 6-foot-4 forward is not a traditional no.9, the personnel description that United are looking for after Cristiano Ronaldo left the club last week. Gakpo’s style of play can be described as more of a winger and a false 9 and any clubs interested in him will have to decide how to play him and fit him in their system.
Gakpo responded to rumors linking him to Manchester United during the Netherlands’ presser on Monday. “I focus, now, on the World Cup,” Gakpo said. “It’s always nice to hear such rumors but I just try to focus here and do my best. I’m not surprised [by the links]. I know what I’m capable of. It’s always a challenge to reach your highest level possible and I think I’m not there yet. I think I can improve a lot of things.”
Liverpool FC is also one of the Premier League clubs interested in Gakpo as reported by Dutch Presenter and former footballer Hans Kraay Jr. a few weeks ago. “The club will “absolutely” move in for Cody Gakpo,” Kraay told ESPN after he spoke with Liverpool’s Pep Lijnders. Lijnders apparently referred to Gakpo as “the missing link”. The Merseyside club is reportedly set to hold talks with the Dutch striker’s representatives in the next few weeks.
Premier League leaders Arsenal were also encouraged to sign Gakpo by recently retired Netherlands international Ryan Babel who told The Athletic: “We’re seeing a lot of interest in Gakpo around Europe and a lot of rumors about what he does next. You see him linked to clubs in England, such as Manchester United. Arsenal would also be incredible for him, with the current manager and the project they are building. When you are a young Dutch player, it is flattering to be linked to big clubs in England, but going from the Dutch league to the Premier League is a big step.”
Gakpo was also linked to Southampton and Leeds United the summer before, but PSV Eindhoven pulled the plug and decided to keep the All-World talent.
Dutch legend Ronald de Boer was asked by Sky Sports about Gakpo’s possible future given Premier League teams’ attraction to the Eredivisie to which the former Ajax and Barcelona man said: “There’ll always be those kinds of players. Like [Mohammed] Kudus [is] also playing well for Ghana and now everybody is talking about him. And now Gakpo the same. He is a great youngster. He has speed which is important nowadays, he can dribble but most importantly he has a great shot. He goes direct at the goal and finds the net quite easily.”
“What is not less important is, I think he is a great person. When you see him in front of the camera, he is very down to earth and yes, I love him as a football player and as a person.”
While Gakpo’s focus is on having the best tournament possible with the international team, one can’t help but wonder what the future holds for the 23-year-old and what team he will eventually sign for. If his World Cup performances are anything to go by, one thing’s for sure, whoever lands the PSV Eindhoven man will get an All-World talent and a lethal finisher in front of the goal.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Steindy. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.