Malen blunt on his own World Cup readiness

Donyell Malen has laid out a blunt self-assessment ahead of the Netherlands' opening World Cup match against Japan. "Dat kan voor een WK-wedstrijd echt niet hoor", roughly, that just isn't good enough for a World Cup game, Malen told reporters, without mincing words about his own readiness (1). The Roma striker is expected to lead the line for the Dutch, and his honesty suggests he knows the level required. For a player entering the summer with his club future also in focus, a strong tournament would do plenty to sharpen his standing.