Everton defender Heitinga praises Douglas

Netherlands and Everton defender John Heitinga has welcomed the additional competition of Douglas, with the Brazilian-born defender having been called to the Dutch national-team for the first time. Douglas thrilled at Dutch call Delight for Douglas as Twente go top Brazilian defender called-up by Holland Douglas, 24, obtained Dutch nationality by virtue of residency this […]
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sambafoot_admin
2012-10-13 13:45:00

Netherlands and Everton defender John Heitinga has welcomed the additional competition of Douglas, with the Brazilian-born defender having been called to the Dutch national-team for the first time.

Douglas, 24, obtained Dutch nationality by virtue of residency this summer and, off-the-back of impressive performances for club-side FC Twente, has been immediately selected by new manager Louis van Gaal.

Heitinga, who has lost his place since the arrival of the new manager, believes that the additional competition can only spur Netherlands on to greater performances.

He told Goal.com:“Douglas is a strong defender and a tall guy. He has a Dutch passport, and if the coach thinks he’s ready to play for the Oranje, he can feature. He has to prove his worth just like any other player.

“Under Van Gaal, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve made one international appearance or 100. You simply have to perform at club level and for Oranje. The previous coach always had a core of 11 or 12 players. Things are completely different now, and that can only be a good thing.”

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by
sambafoot_admin
Oct 13, 2012