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Arnold Bruggink Names PSV’s New Penalty Taker: “He Is Ice-Cold”
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- Arnold Bruggink Names PSV’s New Penalty Taker: “He Is Ice-Cold”
Former PSV Eindhoven midfielder and ESPN analyst Arnold Bruggink has urged Peter Bosz's side to appoint Ruben van Bommel as their new penalty taker following Ivan Perišić's costly miss against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Perišić had the opportunity to put PSV ahead from the penalty spot on Tuesday evening, but failed to convert from 12 yards. PSV subsequently suffered a 1-0 defeat in Germany , leaving them with just one win from their opening two European matches.
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The miss has raised questions about PSV's penalty-taking hierarchy, particularly after Sven Mijnans also failed to score from the spot against FC Utrecht earlier this season.
Speaking on ESPN's Voetbalpraat, Bruggink questioned the uncertainty surrounding the club's designated penalty taker and suggested that Van Bommel should be given the responsibility.
"You don't immediately know at PSV who's going to take it. Remarkable," Bruggink said.
"Normally it's Ricardo Pepi, but he's injured. Sven Mijnans has missed one in the competition. So you don't just assign a specialist."
![Dutch analysts and pundits have been impressed by Ruben van Bommel following the young winger's Netherlands debut last month [IMAGO/STEINSIEK.CH]](https://s.yimg.com/lo/mysterio/api/a838965c13461c1337902830953be807a357a78e4224472d20c897ef5d4c80e3/lightyear_networkapi/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Froundtable_sports_psv_eindhoven_320%2Fe7b5d44988bdb93fc5371145a6793592.jpg)
Dutch analysts and pundits have been impressed by Ruben van Bommel following the young winger's Netherlands debut last month [IMAGO/STEINSIEK.CH]
Bruggink Backs Van Bommel to Take Over
With Pepi unavailable through injury and Mijnans having already missed a penalty this season, Bruggink believes PSV should look towards Van Bommel as a reliable alternative.
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The former PSV midfielder was particularly emphatic in his assessment of the young winger's temperament, describing him as a player capable of handling the pressure that comes with taking penalties.
"I would let Ruben van Bommel take the penalties. He is ice-cold. Ruben will be an absolute top player," Bruggink said, as quoted by PSV Inside .
His recommendation also reflects his confidence in Van Bommel's long-term potential. The young PSV attacker has attracted attention for his performances, and Bruggink believes he possesses the mentality required to take on greater responsibility.
PSV Handed Massive €75 Million Ruben van Bommel Transfer Prediction
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PSV Left to Address Penalty Concerns
Perišić's failure against Leipzig was especially costly given the opportunity to take control of the contest. The Croatian is usually a reliable penalty taker, making his miss an unexpected setback for Bosz's team.
However, with Pepi injured and Mijnans having already missed from the spot, PSV may need to reconsider their options if further penalties arise.
Bruggink has made his preference clear: Van Bommel should be trusted with the responsibility. Whether Bosz follows that recommendation remains to be seen, but PSV's recent misses have placed their penalty-taking arrangements under scrutiny.
