Ex Chelsea & Liverpool Midfielder Praises Netherlands EURO 2024 Star: ‘He’s Grown A Lot At Inter Milan’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona, Chelsea, and Liverpool midfielder Boudewijn Zenden feels Denzel Dumfries has “grown a lot at Inter Milan.”

The former Dutch international gave his thoughts on Dumfries speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS, via FCInterNews.

Dumfries has now been an Inter player for three years.

The Dutchman joined the Nerazzurri from PSV in the summer of 2021.

That was the summer of the last Euros. That was an important tournament for Dumfries, who really broke out as one of the Netherlands’ standout performers.

Inter signed Dumfries as a replacement for Achraf Hakimi following the Moroccan’s big money move to Paris Saint-Germain.

But Dumfries has had to work hard to win his place at Inter.

In his first campaign with the club, the Dutchman needed a period of adjustment to really learn the wingback role and compete for the starting spot with Matteo Darmian.

And even last campaign, it was frequently Darmian who started ahead of the 28-year-old. Particularly in big matches.

Boudewijn Zenden: “Denzel Dumfries Has Grown At Inter Milan”

Fitness issues were a part of the reason why Dumfries did not always start for Inter last season.

There was a sense that, even when the Dutchman was available he was not necessarily able to perform at his best.

In spite of that, Dumfries more than made his contribution as Inter won the Serie A title in dominant fashion.

The 28-year-old has really cemented himself as a part of this Nerazzurri side despite some setbacks.

Dumfries has started in a Champions League final for Inter.

And this summer, the Nerazzurri wingback has been a regular starter for the Netherlands as they have made it to the semifinal stage of the Euros.

“He’s grown a lot,” said former midfielder Zenden of Dumfries.

“Particularly since making the move abroad.”

“He’s made a lot of progress in Italy,” he added of Dumfries.

Zenden said that the 28-year-old “seems to adapt effortlessly wherever he goes.”

He added of Dumfries that “He’s not always perfect but that doesn’t matter. He’s a threat to every opposition.”

“I thought it was a shame that he didn’t start in the final group stage match,” Zenden said.