Newcastle United star backed over controversial decision after World Cup call-up

Newcastle United defender Sven Botman was ‘absolutely right’ to withdraw from international duty with the Netherlands Under-21s last month.

That was the claim by Voetbal International journalist Suleyman Ozturk after he assessed the Magpies star’s performances since he decided against joining up with the Dutch youngsters for their friendly double-header against Belgium and Romania to focus on his settling-in period on Tyneside. Botman has received his rewards with a string of impressive performances as he played a key role in wins against the likes of Brentford, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

The former Lille defender had been in and out of Eddie Howe’s side during the opening month of his time at St James Park but now looks at ease with life in the Premier League after being handed a consistent run of stars by the United boss. Botman has partnered Fabian Schar over the last five games as the Magpies claimed 13 points from a possible 15 to catapult themselves into the top four in the Premier League table.

His form has led to international recogition after Botman was named in the provisional Netherlands squad for the World Cup Finals - although he faces a wait to discover whether he will be part of his final 26-man squad that will travel to Qatar next month.

Looking back at Botman’s recent improvement, Ozturk believes the defender has convinced Howe he can be ‘a regular partner’ to Schar at the heart of the defence and praised the United defender for his displays against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

He told Voetball International: “The Newcastle United defender was absolutely right when he cancelled for the youngsters.  He did not do so because he suffered from a torn toenail or felt too big as a Premier League player for the practice internationals against Belgium and Romania.  He made it clear to Van de Looi that he wanted to use the two weeks of the international period to convince Newcastle manager Eddie Howe that he can call on him as a regular partner of Fabian Schär.

“He was in the starting line-up for five league games in a row in October and impressed again against Tottenham last weekend.  In the duels before, he took on Aleksandr Mitrovic, Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Famous strikers, some in form, all with different profiles.  I think Botman became much wiser from the encounters against Fulham, Brentford, Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham than the experience he’d have had gained against Louis Munteau and Yorbe Vertessen.  According to Socrates, self-knowledge was the beginning of all wisdom. By calling Van de Looi and explaining his situation, Sven Botman showed leadership.”

Botman will hope to continue his impressive run of form when Newcastle host Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.