PSV defender Jetro Willems revealed the extent of his self-confidence by naming himself in his all-time UEFA Champions League dream team. However, the 21-year-old Dutchman went a step further than most and named himself in all five positions, claiming the 5-a-side team could win the Champions League.
UEFA’s website has been interviewing multiple legends of the game, but they were surely surprised by the PSV defender’s answer. Legends of the game like Xavi, Javier Zanetti, Ronaldo and & Andrea Pirlo could be justified in emulating Willems and naming themselves in all positions, but humbly chose to refrain from doing so.
When asked by UEFA TV about his dream 5-a-side team, Willems replied “I would pick myself in any case, obviously. Five times myself. Believe me, you would win the Champions League with that side.”
Here is a video of Willems naming himself:
To ascertain the skill of a player who names himself 5 times, Willems will be in action against Atletico Madrid in the 2nd leg of their UEFA Champions League tie, after the first leg finished 0-0. PSV manager Phillipp Coco will be bemoaning the fact that he cannot name 11 Willems in his lineup, as that would surely guarantee the Champions League trophy... in Willem’s imagination, at least.
PSV defenders seem a strange lot
This isn’t the first odd utterance to emerge from the mouths of PSV Eindhoven defenders this season. Right before the Champions League draw was made, Willem’s teammate Joshua Brenet joked that were the Dutch champions to draw Barcelona, he’d eat Messi, Suarez and Neymar alive.
“All of the clubs are big ones, but I'm a huge fan of Barcelona. It would great to play against them, if not in this round then the one after that, in the semi-finals or in the final. We'll eat Messi, Neymar and Suárez alive.”
Willems was the youngest player to have ever appeared in the UEFA European Championship, which lends him some pedigree. The 21-year-old has enjoyed plenty of first team action for PSV Eindhoven, and scouts of multiple clubs will keep their eyes on the Dutchman.
With such self-confidence in tow, a few managers might baulk at ever signing the Dutchman, but what is for sure is that Willems will not be overly awed at walking into a training session that is populated with stars of world football such as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
