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Ronald Koeman has likened Kees Smit to Pedri, suggesting the talented teenager could play a key role for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup.
Liverpool is reportedly weighing a serious bid for the AZ Alkmaar standout, who has already “charmed” manager Arne Slot. The 19-year-old has also attracted interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Newcastle United.
So far this season, he has two goals and two assists in 11 Eredivisie matches, helping Alkmaar sit third in the table, and has contributed two assists in the Conference League.
Smit has not yet made his senior debut for the Netherlands, but Koeman confirmed that the midfielder is “on the list” for the 2026 World Cup.
Koeman, who managed Pedri at Barcelona, has noted clear similarities between the two young midfielders. “I almost regret mentioning his name again [Pedri], but he’s a guy who plays in the same position,” said the Netherlands boss.
“The way he turns away from his opponent, the way he scans the area, his two-footedness... I saw that in Pedri too. If he gets half his career, we’ll be very happy in the Netherlands.”
The Netherlands head into their final qualifying match three points clear at the top of their group, with a 13-goal cushion over Poland, making it highly likely they will secure a spot at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
However Oranje suffered disappointing 1-1 draw against Poland on Friday. It was a tense evening in Warsaw, particularly for Liverpool’s trio of Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo.
The Reds’ captain, in particular, faced criticism for his role in Jakub Kaminski’s opening goal, raising concerns ahead of Monday’s crucial final qualifier against Lithuania.
Bemoaning the Netherlands’ first-half performance, De Telegraaf wrote in their report: “The fact that the Dutch team, seemingly in control, went into the dressing room trailing at halftime was the result of a series of errors.
"Depay lost the ball, Timber unnecessarily and halfheartedly stepped through on Robert Lewandowski, Virgil van Dijk was positioned incorrectly, and Geertruida let Kaminski charge through inside the box at Verbruggen. This time, he finally found the net: 1-0.”
Van Dijk and his Liverpool teammates struggled in the performance ratings, with the defender, Gravenberch, and Gakpo all receiving 6/10 from Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad, which found their displays underwhelming. On Van Dijk, they wrote: “The Dutch captain, like his teammates, wasn't razor-sharp. And at 1-0, he probably would have done better to close the gap on his right when Kaminksi began his run.”
Summing up Gravenberch’s performance, they added: “The Liverpool player was the Gravenberch we know, available for passes and looking for the solution forward. That wasn't easy. Poland wasn't exactly willing to pull out all the stops, and even less so after the 1-0.”
And on Gakpo, they wrote: “The Poles kept the spaces small, so Gakpo found himself in a wall for the entire half. He also saw full-back Cash constantly join the attack. Immediately after halftime, his most important moment came when he delivered a cross to Malen, which he didn't finish, but Depay did.”
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