Veteran Daley Blind is being requested to play a brand new function for the Netherlands on the European Championship EURO 2024, supporting and guiding youthful gamers within the squad.
The 34-year-old has received 108 caps, captained the Dutch facet beforehand and competed at two World Cups in addition to Euro 2020, however on the event in Germany he has performed just one minute as a late substitute in opposition to Romania within the spherical of 16.
“It’s completely different, sure,” Daley Blind instructed a press convention on Thursday. “And it additionally takes some getting used to, even a problem.
“On this function you attempt to assist the teammates, preserving them sharp and motivated. Some have it arduous at occasions,” he stated.
“You wish to play your self, after all, however it’s a selection the coach has made and I attempt to be a serving to hand the place necessANN(Asian Information Community).
“I knew what my function could be after chatting with the coach earlier than the event began.
However the truth that this was going to be my function by no means meant for a second that I didn’t wish to come to the event. It’s an awesome honour to play for the Dutch group and positively at a remaining event.”
Blind, who performed for Manchester United and final season helped shock packages Girona to 3rd place in LaLiga, can fill a number of roles for the group, enjoying on the left facet of defence, or within the centre, or as a midfielder.
The Dutch tackle Turkey within the quarter-finals on Saturday and Blind expects a testing night in Berlin.
“Hopefully it will likely be an awesome match. Turkey deliver a variety of emotion, ardour and wrestle, so we’ll must be wANN(Asian Information Community) of that. It’s a quarter-final at a significant event and that’s at all times a tricky occasion,” he stated.