Dirk Kuyt: "It's odd that I don't always get recognition"

Thursday, 10 June 2010

He's not one of the so-called 'Big Four' and many Dutch fans don't put him in their favorite lineup. But Dirk Kuyt will most likely be in the starting lineup against Denmark. Like it's always been really, in the past few years.

Dirk Kuyt (l.) and Robin van Persie

He is undisputed at Liverpool and since he made his debut for Holland in September 2004 he was capped 63 times in which he scored 15 goals. At Euro 2008 he was a regular and in the master classes against Italy and France he was important with an assist against Italy and the opening goal against France. Kuyt rarely underperforms, always works hard and has sustained himself at each level. But still, there is always doubt. Again now, coming up to the World Cup.

In the Netherlands people talk of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart. Kuyt is often overlooked in conversations, as he noticed himself. "It's odd that I don't always get recognition as I do in England," he tells FCUpdate.nl. "Ofcourse that's annoying at times, but mostly I find it amusing. In fact such things motivate me."

The man who played most games for Holland this season of all players present never doubts himself. "I can only say that the figures speak for themselves. At Liverpool I play on the right and I score 10 to 15 goals each season. There are few wingers who can produce such stats."

That it's only about the Big Four is "typically Dutch" says Kuyt. "The Dutch always tend to look at certain players only. De expression big four of course has been made up by the media. It's not that Robin van Persie thought of that. But everyone must realize that we need every player in the squad to play a good tournament here. It's not about the big four, more about the big 23."

With Robben injured for the time being it's impossible anyway to have the big four out there. Against Denmark Kuyt seems certain of his spot on the right. But that may change when Robben returns, but the Liverpool forward sees things differently: "Arjen can play on the left as well, pretty good actually."

"Arjen is a good friend of mine and I'm hoping he will be healthy as soon as possible. I want nothing but the best for him. I don't see him as a direct competitor for one position, but more like an important part of this team. We'll see who will and will not play when he returns. It's all about playing a good tournament with the 23 players. I am convinced that we can do it. We have the qualities to beat any country."