Derksen on Gakpo’s grief: 'Let him make every call'

Cody Gakpo’s personal loss has prompted a rare public discussion among Dutch football figures about how to support a teammate in grief. Liverpool’s forward revealed on Saturday 27 June that his son died during pregnancy, prompting reflections on how the Oranje group should respond.

Johan Derksen, speaking on *Vandaag Inside Oranje* on Monday, framed the situation bluntly. “It is sad news. I think you should let the victim make every decision,” he said, advocating for Gakpo to be given full autonomy during this period.

René van der Gijp expanded on the theme, urging restraint from those outside Gakpo’s inner circle. “I think he has a good bond with four or five lads in the group. The others should just stay out of it,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of natural support networks.

Gijp continued, “It’s always strange when you’ve never bothered with the lad and suddenly you’re all over him. Better to let it go. He’ll be looked after by the boys he’s friends with and keeps in touch with outside football. If you’ve never had contact with him, you should leave him alone.”

Chris Woerts offered a different perspective, seeing potential for the tragedy to strengthen the Dutch squad. “I hope this ordeal can bring the selection closer together. These lads are really religious and draw real strength from that,” he concluded.

The remarks underscore a tension between public empathy and private space, with Derksen and Gijp urging minimal interference while Woerts highlights the role of shared faith in bonding.

Gakpo’s announcement on 27 June has shifted the conversation from performance to personal well-being, a rare moment of vulnerability in elite football discourse.

The discussion on *Vandaag Inside Oranje* reflects broader questions about how teams support players through private crises without overstepping boundaries.