Eredivisie impresses Xavi: 'That was Champions League level'

Xavi Hernández has given his verdict on the standard of the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie. While unveiling his first Netherlands squad, he spoke about what he has seen in Dutch stadiums.

The national team coach watched Ajax v PSV (1-3) at the start of September. Last Sunday he was at De Kuip to see Feyenoord beat FC Utrecht 5-0.

Asked what he made of the standard of the Dutch league, Xavi said: "The Eredivisie is of a high standard."

"On Sunday I watched Feyenoord v FC Utrecht and before that, for example, Ajax v PSV at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. In my opinion, that was of Champions League level. It was a good match, with high intensity from both teams."

Xavi added: "The Eredivisie obviously has a good standard, but it depends on the club. The big clubs have a good level, good players and good talents. We have to keep an eye on them."

Unlike Ronald Koeman, who emphatically closed the door on players plying their trade in, for example, the Saudi Pro League, that does not matter to the new national team coach. "My preference is to watch and speak with the player."

He added: "The intensity with which the player plays, the rhythm, the capacity, the ambition, the passion and what he shows on the pitch are what I find most important. I like to assess the individual, because the club does not interest me, as every team play a different system," concluded the Spanish coach.