Sven Botman’s exploits for Newcastle since the September international break provided him an outside chance of making the Netherlands squad for the 2022 World Cup. While he made the provisional squad, the defender didn’t make Louis van Gaal’s final cut.
It wasn’t a massive surprise as the Dutchman has yet to receive his first call-up to his national team, though he has played at all of the youth levels. His surprise decision to pull out of the U21s in September to focus on Newcastle turned out to be a wise decision.
Botman has been speaking of his World Cup disappointment. While his aim is to represent his country on the world’s highest stage, he was realistic about his chances for this year’s tournament.
The Chronicle has published the following comments Sven made to Dutch outlet Voetbal International:
“I had not counted on it happening because I have not been called up before under this national coach and have yet to make my debut for the Dutch national team.
“Only because things went so well at Newcastle in recent weeks, of course, I hoped for it. Unfortunately. Hopefully, there will be new opportunities under the new national coach.”
Things have gone beyond well for both Sven and Newcastle in recent weeks. The 22-year-old has quickly turned into a force at the back under Eddie Howe. Some pundits have pegged Botman to become one of the league’s best defenders while he’s earned the moniker Rolls Royce on Tyneside.
He’s landed at a place where he can reach all of his goals under Howe, and eventually The Netherlands. He may have missed this year’s World Cup but he’s destined to get his first cap sooner rather than later.
Newcastle have recently released the following video of Sven’s contributions to this season’s outstanding start.
Sven Botman making it look easy. ??? pic.twitter.com/SFh4m781Ov
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 18, 2022
78 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 18, 2022 at 7:41 PM
Comment #1Mine 😀
Romford mag
Nov 18, 2022 at 7:41 PM
Comment #2His time will definitely come
Flurzinho
Nov 18, 2022 at 7:49 PM
Comment #3He is the best defender we have had since Woodgate.
ottawageordie2
Nov 18, 2022 at 7:52 PM
Comment #4Jane: Sugar sugar. The Archies. Good feeling song.
IrishRob
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:03 PM
Comment #5Jail from earlier. You were quoting how much Garage Kuol was worth..I was just curious how much our lad Garang Kuol was worth. Lol
The Taco Taker
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:07 PM
Comment #6Welcome Flurzinho,
Woodgate was indeed a great defender, positionally very astute. I think Botman will prove to be even better though. Woodgate only managed 28 games for NUFC, Botman is already on 13.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:10 PM
Comment #7IrishRob,
Well at the minute he’s just worth what we paid for him, maybe a bit more given he’s scored a few since we sealed the deal. He’s got a long journey ahead of him and there’s no guarantees.
Romford mag
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:12 PM
Comment #8Watching that video clip of him
What I like seeing him do when defending in the box is making himself big (tbf isn’t hard !)
But also making sure his hands are behind him !
Romford mag
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:12 PM
Comment #9Oh and welcome to the blog Flurzinho 🙂
Flurzinho
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:16 PM
Comment #10Taco,
You are of course correct,defending is an art.
Imagine Botman and Woodgate.
I would have enjoyed playing right back in that team.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:22 PM
Comment #11TTT,
That’s what I don’t get when people rave about Woodgate being our best ever defender, he hardly bloody played for us.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:25 PM
Comment #12I see Serbia scored five and I didn’t see Mitro on the list of scorers, is he still injured?
The Taco Taker
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:31 PM
Comment #13But when he did Raj he was next level compared to any defender I recall in a Toon shirt. That is what I guess some of us saw in him. As did Real Madrid.
Admittedly the less said about his first games for Real Madrid the better.
The Taco Taker
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:35 PM
Comment #14I guess that is the difference between Woodgate and Botman. Woodgates body was so fragile. Botman is a cyborg built out of titanium.
clinath@ed
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:44 PM
Comment #15Quality over quantity Raj.
Flurzinho
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:50 PM
Comment #16I have watched Newcastle for over 40 years.
We have not had a better defender than Woodgate!
His injuries destroyed the best defender this country may have seen.
Botman,if he can stay fit, will eclipse him in every way.
The Taco Taker
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:51 PM
Comment #17I wonder if MagicMac is watching the same snooker match as I am? Mark Allen vs. Sam Craigie.
NI vs. Toon.
Come on Sam!!
AnyToon in Indiana
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:51 PM
Comment #18I’ll get the World Cup weekend night party started….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re4aDJL3heA
AnyToon in Indiana
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:53 PM
Comment #19Botman for the Euros in 2024….is it too early? 🙂
Regan
Nov 18, 2022 at 8:58 PM
Comment #20https://youtu.be/uO844xT7ivE
Anytoon..
I’ll go with this one..
😆
AnyToon in Indiana
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:02 PM
Comment #21Nice one Regan…have to admit I have never come across that. 😉
Regan
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:03 PM
Comment #22I’ll have to be careful what I’m typing when World Cup willie comes into the equation..
😳
Regan
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:05 PM
Comment #23Anytoon..
Can’t believe it’s 40 years old to be fair..
Regan
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:10 PM
Comment #24https://youtu.be/va6nPu-1auE
Love this one..
The Taco Taker
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:12 PM
Comment #25Regan – Spain 82 is the first WC I vaguely recall watching as a little kid. Good Times.
magicmac54
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:13 PM
Comment #26The Taco Taker
Correct about the snooker mate still watching it and some superb snooker matches today I’ll be on later my friend
Regan
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:15 PM
Comment #27Taco..
Same mate..
magicmac54
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:23 PM
Comment #28The Taco Taker
That lad Sam Craigie from Wallsend is doing very well against Mark Allen from our neck of the woods
Regan
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:29 PM
Comment #29https://youtu.be/eyJTBrbPIHQ
Vaguely remember this goal for our cousins in Scotland in 78..
Gets replayed every year and rightly so..
AnyToon in Indiana
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:38 PM
Comment #30That’s where Miggy copied his goal from 🙂
magicmac54
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:53 PM
Comment #31Regan
I can still clearly remember that superb goal by Archie Gemmill against the Dutch like it was yesterday mate.
The Taco Taker
Nov 18, 2022 at 9:59 PM
Comment #32I remember the Archie Gemmills goal being shown in Trainspotting for whatever that is worth.
Munster Mag
Nov 18, 2022 at 10:30 PM
Comment #33Hancock wud eat anything.animal !
NY Mag
Nov 18, 2022 at 10:34 PM
Comment #34Munster,
Why do you watch such stuff?
Mister Tuff
Nov 18, 2022 at 10:45 PM
Comment #35Paid for crowds at WC.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/fans-paid-to-attend-world-cup-by-qatar-have-daily-allowance-cancelled/ar-AA14hmon?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=912362fa520a41e6832ac9062a145e2c
magicmac54
Nov 18, 2022 at 11:01 PM
Comment #36Absolutely superb display there by Sam Craigie tonight Mark Allen had to use all his experience of playing top flight snooker to beat the lad.
NY Mag
Nov 18, 2022 at 11:02 PM
Comment #37Where’s rom and regan when you need them…I’ve gone from u2 to the bay city rollers…good god, help me please 🙂
I’m in a YouTube hell…
NY Mag
Nov 18, 2022 at 11:04 PM
Comment #38Bye, bye baby…don’t make me cry
The Taco Taker
Nov 18, 2022 at 11:06 PM
Comment #39Agreed Magic, great match to watch, the better
and more experienced player won.
magicmac54
Nov 18, 2022 at 11:09 PM
Comment #40One for the Pool players on the Blog
Regan, Taco Taker, Wor B and NY Mag
Andy Goldstein taking on Jimmy White best of 3 in Pool
https://youtu.be/zkUmePOe_tw