Ruben van Bommel played in the youth academy of PSV between 2013 and 2020, with De Wijs leading him in the U15 team. De Wijs stated that Van Bommel had the 'total package' of a modern footballer, citing his speed and mindset. However, Van Bommel struggled with setbacks and was physically overpowered by opponents, often only playing one-third of the matches in top-level games. His growth problems led to him taking a step back and making the transition from PSV to MVV. Despite this setback, De Wijs believes that Van Bommel has turned his struggles into drive and motivation. De Wijs now sees Van Bommel as a mature player who is physically capable of competing in the Premier League.