Newcastle United star earns international call-up six months after snub

Newcastle United defender Sven Botman has been rewarded for his impressive form during his first season in the Premier League by landing a call-up to the Netherlands squad.

The former Lille star has eased into life in the Premier League by putting together a string of consistently excellent performances since moving to Tyneside in a £30m move last summer. Botman has played a significant role in helping Eddie Howe’s side challenge for a return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence and reach the final of the Carabao Cup, before a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United ended any hopes of landing major silverware.

However, Botman’s form has not gone unnoticed and he could make his senior debut for the Netherlands in Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and Gibraltar over the next two weeks. The call-up comes just six months after the classy centre-back rejected a call-up by the Dutch Under-21s to focus on his introduction into life on Tyneside.

Speaking at the time, United manager Howe said: “I think everything gets blown out of all proportion. Sven was keen to continue his learning and development here in terms of adjusting to the Premier League. I think he’s done that really well; certainly from the two weeks he’s had with us, he’s trained excellently and I think it’s really benefited him. We were pleased to keep him because you have that control over what they’re doing when they’re here.”

Botman was named in the Netherlands provisional squad for the World Cup Finals in Qatar last year - but missed out on the final 25-man selection that reached the quarter-finals before suffering a penalty shoot-out defeat against eventual winners Argentina.

However, the Magpies centre-back could now earn a first senior cap before the end of the month as he receives recognition for his impressive development during the early months of his time on Tyneside.