Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart believes midfielder Joey Veerman will play a central role under new national team coach Xavi Hernández, saying the Spaniard's love of possession football makes Veerman — recently transferred from PSV Eindhoven to Borussia Dortmund — an ideal fit. Van der Vaart, a 109-cap veteran and television analyst, added that while he does not expect Xavi to transform the Dutch side (known as Oranje) overnight ahead of their upcoming match against Germany, he is excited to see the new direction. He also expressed surprise, though approval, at Xavi's decision to immediately call up Eredivisie (the Dutch top flight) players Gjivai Zechiël and Ruben van Bommel, the latter only recently recovered from a serious knee ligament injury.