Van der Vaart says Dest ‘thinks he’s much better than he is’

Fighting words from the former Dutch international

Former Netherlands star Rafael van der Vaart had a novel piece of criticism for Sergiño Dest, saying the right back may have just a little bit too much self confidence.

Dest is in the midst of a one-year loan at AC Milan, where he’s featured sporadically for the Serie A champions after joining in the summer from Barcelona.

The 22-year-old plays right back but his strength is in the attacking side of his game, which Van der Vaart believes causes him to take on more than a defender should.

“He can be very good, but he always takes too much on his plate. He thinks he is much better than he is,” Van der Vaart said in his role as a pundit on Dutch TV station Ziggo Sport.

“He is a defender and then you have to be a bit smart. He overestimates himself. It’s a quality to know what you can and cannot do. Even the best players in the world have that.

“I am a fan of his, but he should not believe in himself too much as a right back. You are right back for a reason.”

Dest was born and raised in the Netherlands but opted to represent the U.S. at the international level, despite interest from the Dutch federation when he was breaking into the Ajax first team as a teenager.

Van der Vaart said that right now, Dest would not be good enough to play for the Oranje.

“No, he has shown too little,” the ex-Tottenham man said.

Dest is expected to start at right back for the USMNT at the World Cup, with their first game on November 21 against Wales.

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