July 29 2003

PSV

Crystal Palace take on Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven in the first of two lucrative pre-season friendlies, writes Joey Lucarelli.

There's no doubt, Palace will have their work cut out against a side which oozes quality. They have won the Dutch league title three times in the last four seasons - finishing second on the other occasion.

PSV are the only Dutch club to participate in every Champions League edition since its incarnation 1991, but they never got past first group stages. This season they will appear in the Champions League again.

They were founded on August 31, 1913 as club for the employees of the Philips company in Eindhoven. They have since gone on to win the Dutch title 17 times, Dutch Cup on seven occasions, Dutch Charity Shield six times, European Cup and Uefa Cup once.

Look out for a number of star players. Dutch international midfielder Mark van Bommel has been linked with Arsenal in the past.

Defender Kevin Hofland is another star of the team. He is often injured, which could be the reason Man United have not signed him up yet.

Danish international right winger Dennis Rommedahl has bags of pace while Arjen Robben is a very skillful Dutch youngster, who plays from the left. Last summer he was signed from FC Groningen and he had a very good first season for PSV.

Last but not least, striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who was signed from my club FC Twente Enschede a few seasons ago. Before he moved to PSV he was, bizzarly enough, linked with a move to Palace.

For Palace, Gary Borrowdale is likely to miss the match due to an ankle injury. And apart from the injured Hayden Mullins, Palace should have a full squad to pick from.