Brian Riemer Addresses Jannik Vestergaard’s Situation and Van Nistelrooy’s Decision

Denmark manager Brian Riemer has addressed Jannik Vestergaard’s situation at Leicester City after selecting him for the upcoming Nations League quarter-finals against Portugal.

Vestergaard last played for Leicester in a 2-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham United last month.

However, manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has since left the 32-year-old defender out of the squad for their matches against Chelsea and Manchester United.

His absence raised concerns about his inclusion in Denmark’s squad for crucial fixtures on Thursday and Sunday.

Despite this, Riemer included Vestergaard in his 23-man squad but acknowledged that his current club situation is not ideal.

“As a national coach, I always hope my players are getting regular game time,” Riemer said. “My goal is to select as many in-form players as possible, though sometimes compromises are necessary.”

He emphasized that Vestergaard has featured consistently over a longer period, which played a key role in his selection.

“If you look beyond these last two games, Jannik has been playing, so it’s not like we’re calling up someone who hasn’t started in five months,” Riemer added.

“But of course, I would have preferred if he had played recently and arrived in top form.”

Vestergaard will now aim to prove his value in Denmark’s defense as they prepare for their crucial encounters with Portugal.