Sami Ouaissa’s Continued Absence Raises Questions at PSV
PSV forward Sami Ouaissa was unexpectedly missing again on Tuesday, adding another uncertain chapter to his difficult start in Eindhoven. The 20-year-old was expected to feature for Jong PSV against Ipswich Town in the Premier League International Cup, but he was absent from both the pitch and the substitutes’ bench.
Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink reported the omission on X, describing it as notable while making clear that the reason for Ouaissa’s absence was not known. His latest non-appearance has prompted fresh questions about his fitness and how quickly he can begin contributing after a challenging period since his transfer to PSV.
A €9 Million Transfer Yet to Deliver a First-Team Debut
PSV signed Ouaissa from NEC last summer for a reported fee of €9 million, a significant investment in a young attacking player with the potential to develop into a first-team option. However, the Limburg-born forward has yet to make his senior debut for the Eredivisie club.
Ouaissa arrived in Eindhoven carrying an injury, and his recovery has kept him from establishing a regular rhythm. For a player moving to a new club, adapting to unfamiliar teammates, coaching methods and expectations can take time. A prolonged fitness issue makes that transition even more difficult, particularly when the player has limited opportunities to build match sharpness.
The transfer was expected to give PSV another promising attacking option, but the immediate focus has shifted from his potential on the field to the practical question of when he will be available. Until he can train consistently and play regularly, it is difficult to assess how he fits into the club’s plans or what role he might eventually fill.
Recent Jong PSV Appearance Offered a Brief Positive Sign
There had been some encouragement the previous Monday, when Ouaissa played 45 minutes for Jong PSV in a 1-0 defeat to FC Dordrecht. The appearance suggested he was at least beginning to return to competitive action after his injury problems. Even a single half can be valuable for a player rebuilding fitness, helping him regain match tempo and confidence.
That progress made his expected involvement against Ipswich Town seem like a logical next step. Instead, his absence interrupted the momentum. No explanation was immediately available, so it remains unclear whether the decision was related to his physical condition, a precautionary measure, or another factor. Without further information from PSV, it would be premature to draw firm conclusions about the setback.
For young players recovering from injury, carefully managed minutes are often part of a gradual return. Coaches and medical staff may choose to limit workloads, especially when a player has only recently resumed competitive football. That possibility offers one explanation for why Ouaissa did not feature, though it has not been confirmed in this case.
Jong PSV Enjoys a 7-0 Win Without the Forward
Ouaissa’s absence did not prevent Jong PSV from producing an emphatic result in England. The reserve side defeated Ipswich Town 7-0 in the Premier League International Cup, turning what might have been a competitive away fixture into a one-sided victory.
Mikkel Bro Hansen was the standout performer, scoring three goals and supplying two assists. His contribution underlined the depth of attacking talent available to Jong PSV on the night and ensured that the team did not appear to miss Ouaissa in the final result. The performance also gave PSV’s younger players a useful opportunity to make an impression in an international competition.
For Ouaissa, however, the team’s success does not change the importance of his own recovery. Jong PSV can provide a pathway back to regular football, but he will need consistent training and appearances before he can build a case for promotion to the senior squad.
What Happens Next for Ouaissa?
The immediate prediction is difficult to make because the cause of Tuesday’s absence has not been disclosed. His 45-minute outing against Dordrecht offers a reason for cautious optimism, but the missed Ipswich match shows that his return may not yet be straightforward. The next useful indicator will be whether he resumes training and is included in an upcoming Jong PSV squad.
PSV’s priority is likely to ensure that Ouaissa returns safely rather than rushing him into action. A steady progression—from training sessions to limited minutes and then longer appearances—would help reduce the risk of another setback. For the player, regular football at Jong PSV could be more valuable in the short term than an early first-team call-up.
There is also a broader question of how PSV will manage a substantial investment in a player who has not yet made a senior appearance. The club will want to give Ouaissa the time and support needed to demonstrate why it pursued the transfer, while balancing that patience against the demands of a competitive season. His development is therefore worth monitoring, even if a first-team breakthrough remains some way off.
PSV’s Upcoming Fixture
PSV’s next listed Eredivisie match is against Willem II on 1 November 2026. Whether Ouaissa will be ready to feature for the senior side by then is uncertain, and no return date has been confirmed. For now, the key signs to watch are his fitness, training involvement and availability for Jong PSV.
Ouaissa’s spell in Eindhoven has so far been defined by interrupted preparation rather than on-field impact. His transfer fee and attacking potential have naturally attracted attention, but the next stage of his story depends on something more basic: getting fully fit and stringing together uninterrupted minutes. If he can do that, PSV will have a clearer opportunity to judge his progress and determine how he might contribute to the first team.
