Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong earns first Netherlands call-up
Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong has been rewarded for his consistently high-quality performances with a maiden call-up to the senior Netherlands national team.
The 21-year-old arrived at Leverkusen from Celtic in January 2021 and has swiftly become a first-team regular.
The defender, who is able to play at right-back or at right wing-back, has started 23 Bundesliga matches so far this term for head coach Gerardo Seoane's side, as well as two in the DFB Cup and five of the team's six in the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Quick, attack-minded and with a good eye for a cross into the box, Frimpong has one goal and six assists in the Bundesliga in 2021/22. It has not gone unnoticed by Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal, who nominated the four-time U21 international for his provisional 30-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Denmark and Germany at the end of the month.
Frimpong is one of three Bundesliga representatives on the roster for the games in Amsterdam, joining Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken and Borussia Dortmund attacker Donyell Malen.
The Leverkusen defender's selection may seem like a long time coming for regular Bundesliga observers, but the player himself never doubted that he would make the step up.
"I believe in timing," he said in December last year when asked about the possibility of earning a maiden Netherlands cap. "I'm not in any hurry. I knew that I would play for the U18s one day, and then for the U21s. I believe in my abilities."
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