KRUL’S DUTCH COURAGE Keeper targets Euros after injury hell
Age 31 Position Keeper Clubs Den Haag, Newcastle, Brighton, Norwich (current) International
Holland (8 caps)
League stats this season Played 20 Mins played 1,800 Goals conceded 38 Clean sheets 2 Saves 72 Save percentage 65.5% Errors leading to goals 0 Passing accuracy % 59.3% Penalties faced 5 Penalties saved 2
Krul, who is loving life back on the big Premier League stage despite Norwich’s struggles at the bottom of the table, has not played for his country since a collision with Van Dijk during a Euro qualifier in Kazakhstan in 2015 left him with a torn cruciate.
The 31-year-old was playing for Newcastle at the time – and was forced to go out on loan to Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Brighton to resurrect his career.
A move to Carrow Road in the summer of 2018 gave the Dutchman a new lease of life and after helping the
Canaries to win promotion from the Championship last term, Krul now hopes to put himself in the frame for a Holland recall.
Krul said: “I will never forget October 10, 2015. I was the No.1 goalkeeper for Holland when we played on a terrible artificial pitch in Kazakhstan.
“The temperature was minus-two degrees and when it started to snow during the warm up, I decided to change my rubber-soled boots for boots with studs.
“When the first cross came during the match, I came out to punch the ball.
“But I got a push from Virgil van Dijk and because of that I got stuck with one boot in the ground and I twisted my knee.
“At first I thought it was only my meniscus and I wanted to carry on. But I soon realised I had the most serious knee injury. It was cruciate ligament damage. My world collapsed.”
Krul was being chased by a host of Europe’s top clubs when his worst nightmare struck.
But he added: “Certain things happen for a reason. The injury and my comeback have made me both mentally and physically stronger than ever.
“I now feel like I am ready to go back in goal for Holland. Of course, I’m sure other goalkeepers want to present themselves to our national coach Ronald Koeman (below), but I am definitely putting my hand in the air.
“That’s my message to Koeman. It would be a big bonus if he selects me for the European Championships. “Nobody knows how hard I have fought to come back to this level. I am stronger and better than ever. If Koeman picks me again for Holland, I can end the chapter about my cruciate knee ligament injury for good.”
Krul is happy at Carrow Road, but would consider his future if Norwich go down – they lost 4-0 yesterday away to Manchester United.
He said: “Norwich gave me a new lease of life. Playing every week in the Premier League was all I wanted again.
“I am only 31 years old – a good age for a goalkeeper – and although I was sidelined for 18 months by my injury, I feel as if I am 20 again.
“I love it – I am playing in the Premier League and I really don’t want to go down with Norwich again.
“Ideally I would like to spend six, seven or maybe 10 more years at the highest level.”