Who is he? Where does he play?
He is a 23 year old Dutch midfielder playing for PSV Eindhoven after starting his career at Sparta Rotterdam before moving to FC Utrecht. He is known, and we're not sure if this is a good or bad thing, as the "Dutch Roy Keane" and he is usually found in the centre of midfield mixing it up like an over-enthusiastic dog.
A good thing, I think. Does that means he'll be playing at Man Utd?
It's no secret that the good folk at Old Trafford have been reportedly interested in the young midfielder, in fact it's been pretty damn boring as he's been linked with a move to Salford nearly everyday for the past year. Slightly inevitably, it doesn't look like Strootman will be joining the champions as he pictures his future elsewhere.
So he's leaving PSV then?
The Dutch club have told him they want him to stay, but Strootman has courted interest from clubs, saying "there are several clubs interested but only when they reach an agreement with PSV do I come into the picture". It looks however, like AS Roma are close to signing the tough-tackling midfielder, aiming to negotiate PSV down to a reported 11 million euros.
Ah!? To partner him with Danielle De Rossi?
De Rossi is involved in some transfer confusion of his own at the moment but yeah, what a midfield that would be. The combative, Mark Van Bommel-esque style of Strootman in tandem with De Rossi's poise and guile? Rudi Garcia will definitely have a fine midfield at his disposal in Rome, though Strootman's role is definitely that of a deep-lying midfielder, patrolling the area in front of his defence cautiously with terrific man-marking skills and a fine physique that allows him to shrug opposition players off the ball.
An heir to the Cocu, Van Bommel job then?
Pretty much. Even before them, the Netherlands have always had gifted defensive midfielders in the form of Rijkaard, Gullit and co. and Strootman, with his fondness for a tackle and sublime positional sense, is set to be the next generation. He already has 18 caps for the senior Dutch side after breaking through in 2011 and has made over 187 appearances in the EreDivisie, so if he does leave it will be with bags of experience.
You can see what he's all about here
Showing posts with label EreDivisie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EreDivisie. Show all posts
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Thursday, 4 July 2013
MARCO VAN GINKEL
Who is he? Where does he play?
He is a Dutch midfielder currently playing in the EreDivisie with Vitesse Arnhem. He is a box-to-box central midfielder with great energy and he bears an uncanny resemblance to the much-hated teen-pop sensation Justin Bieber.
He's more popular than Bieber though?
He is, already a regular in Vitesse's side at the age of 20 having played 41 times over the past year, scoring 12 goals thanks to his Frank Lampard-esque ability to time runs into the box to perfection. He was integral to the Netherlands under-21 side that went to this summer's European Championship in Israel and has 1 cap in Louis Van Gaal's senior team. If that isn't enough, he was also named the 2012-2013 Dutch Football Talent of the Year.
Ah! Pretty good then?
Yes he is, but those smart souls at Vitesse knew that 3 years before us as he was handed his debut in the side aged 17 in April 2010. 3 years later he has clocked over 100 appearances in the engine room for the Vitas and is ready to move on. His ambition is justified too, he boasts an armory of long range and short range passing which allows him to spread raking diagonal balls to stretch play, or even thread clinical through balls to the striker, such is his remarkable vision.
His brilliant control and deft touch means he can spread a pass immediately too, vital for when he is pressed hard by the opposition. His passing ability is indicated by his 1223 completed passes over the course of last season, he very rarely wastes a ball or gives it away.
You make a very good sale...
He's not half bad off the ball either, able to mix it up (to borrow Sunday League terminology) in the midfield with a good tackle, he doesn't back away from the fight. Winning the ball back to distribute it with intelligent vision and reading of the game is his style, though he can just as easily spring into a run forward to move the ball into the attack, he is best deployed in a double pivot system with somebody who can minimise his defensive contribution.
If he's that good, won't he be moving to a major club?
Well.... it's funny you should ask that because, with all due respect to Vitesse, he is on the shopping list of that handsome old ragamuffin Jose Mourinho who has seemingly convinced multi-quasi-ultra-huge billionaire Roman Abramovich to reach behind his sofa to find that spare £8 million to agree a deal with Vitesse. The player will join subject to a medical and will be signed, in all probability, to become a long-term replacement for Frank Lampard. A deep midfielder who can easily move forward, Van Ginkel will add a fresher, younger dimension to Chelsea's aging midfield. He will have to work on his strength though, as this literature points out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Il6Gximnw
He is a Dutch midfielder currently playing in the EreDivisie with Vitesse Arnhem. He is a box-to-box central midfielder with great energy and he bears an uncanny resemblance to the much-hated teen-pop sensation Justin Bieber.
He's more popular than Bieber though?
He is, already a regular in Vitesse's side at the age of 20 having played 41 times over the past year, scoring 12 goals thanks to his Frank Lampard-esque ability to time runs into the box to perfection. He was integral to the Netherlands under-21 side that went to this summer's European Championship in Israel and has 1 cap in Louis Van Gaal's senior team. If that isn't enough, he was also named the 2012-2013 Dutch Football Talent of the Year.
Ah! Pretty good then?
Yes he is, but those smart souls at Vitesse knew that 3 years before us as he was handed his debut in the side aged 17 in April 2010. 3 years later he has clocked over 100 appearances in the engine room for the Vitas and is ready to move on. His ambition is justified too, he boasts an armory of long range and short range passing which allows him to spread raking diagonal balls to stretch play, or even thread clinical through balls to the striker, such is his remarkable vision.
His brilliant control and deft touch means he can spread a pass immediately too, vital for when he is pressed hard by the opposition. His passing ability is indicated by his 1223 completed passes over the course of last season, he very rarely wastes a ball or gives it away.
You make a very good sale...
He's not half bad off the ball either, able to mix it up (to borrow Sunday League terminology) in the midfield with a good tackle, he doesn't back away from the fight. Winning the ball back to distribute it with intelligent vision and reading of the game is his style, though he can just as easily spring into a run forward to move the ball into the attack, he is best deployed in a double pivot system with somebody who can minimise his defensive contribution.
If he's that good, won't he be moving to a major club?
Well.... it's funny you should ask that because, with all due respect to Vitesse, he is on the shopping list of that handsome old ragamuffin Jose Mourinho who has seemingly convinced multi-quasi-ultra-huge billionaire Roman Abramovich to reach behind his sofa to find that spare £8 million to agree a deal with Vitesse. The player will join subject to a medical and will be signed, in all probability, to become a long-term replacement for Frank Lampard. A deep midfielder who can easily move forward, Van Ginkel will add a fresher, younger dimension to Chelsea's aging midfield. He will have to work on his strength though, as this literature points out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Il6Gximnw
Monday, 3 June 2013
STEFAN DE VRIJ
Who is he? Where does he play?
The Netherlands will be hugely excited by the emergence of Feyenoord's 21 year old centre-half. The heady days of Jaap Stam and Ruud Kroll have been replaced by the mediocre times of Joris Mathijsen and Johnny Heitinga. But now, brace yourselves, because it's the time of the solid, imposing De Vrij.
So what does he offer at the back?
A remarkable positional sense that allows for a high interception rate and an impressive ability for man-marking such is his fine reading of the game. His intelligence has been the defining feature behind his quick rise through the Feyenoord youth set-up, being allowed to skip the under-16s before representing the under-17s immediately. Since emerging in the full-team in 2009, De Vrij is now club captain after Ron Vlaar departed for Aston Villa.
One for the future then?
Very much so, and now. Not only does De Vrij cut an extremely resolute and firm figure at the back, his 6ft 2 inch frame allowing him to be a major force in the air, but he is also adept at playing the ball out from the back, like all good Dutch centre-halves are expected to do. He can block, tackle, pass the ball effectively short and long and he has already represented Feyenoord 116 times, so he has experience to compliment his footballing qualities.
Almost the perfect-centre half then?
Luis Van Gaal certainly seems to think so, having called the centre-half up to the provisional Netherlands squad for last year's European Championship. After missing the cut, De Vrij returned to play in a friendly against Belgium before installing himself as the first choice centre-back in Van Gaal's current set-up. He also won the Thorbecke Lyceum Sports Talent award back in 2009, which we won't explain, we'll just let you read about it.
Feyenoord finished 3rd didn't they? Will he be off?
With Everton and Liverpool both interested, you probably would think so and a move did seem likely to happen before the 21 year old showed a decent sense of logic by signing a new deal with Feyenoord, allowing him another year in the familiar setting of the EreDivisie before next summer's World Cup. If his form continues, he will be in Brazil. Keep an eye out for this talented, complete centre-half.
If you can't wait until then, watch this video.
The Netherlands will be hugely excited by the emergence of Feyenoord's 21 year old centre-half. The heady days of Jaap Stam and Ruud Kroll have been replaced by the mediocre times of Joris Mathijsen and Johnny Heitinga. But now, brace yourselves, because it's the time of the solid, imposing De Vrij.
So what does he offer at the back?
A remarkable positional sense that allows for a high interception rate and an impressive ability for man-marking such is his fine reading of the game. His intelligence has been the defining feature behind his quick rise through the Feyenoord youth set-up, being allowed to skip the under-16s before representing the under-17s immediately. Since emerging in the full-team in 2009, De Vrij is now club captain after Ron Vlaar departed for Aston Villa.
One for the future then?
Very much so, and now. Not only does De Vrij cut an extremely resolute and firm figure at the back, his 6ft 2 inch frame allowing him to be a major force in the air, but he is also adept at playing the ball out from the back, like all good Dutch centre-halves are expected to do. He can block, tackle, pass the ball effectively short and long and he has already represented Feyenoord 116 times, so he has experience to compliment his footballing qualities.
Almost the perfect-centre half then?
Luis Van Gaal certainly seems to think so, having called the centre-half up to the provisional Netherlands squad for last year's European Championship. After missing the cut, De Vrij returned to play in a friendly against Belgium before installing himself as the first choice centre-back in Van Gaal's current set-up. He also won the Thorbecke Lyceum Sports Talent award back in 2009, which we won't explain, we'll just let you read about it.
Feyenoord finished 3rd didn't they? Will he be off?
With Everton and Liverpool both interested, you probably would think so and a move did seem likely to happen before the 21 year old showed a decent sense of logic by signing a new deal with Feyenoord, allowing him another year in the familiar setting of the EreDivisie before next summer's World Cup. If his form continues, he will be in Brazil. Keep an eye out for this talented, complete centre-half.
If you can't wait until then, watch this video.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
WILFRIED BONY
Who is he? Where does he play?
He is Vitesse Arnhem's 24 year old Ivorian striker who has been scoring goals for fun over in Holland. A strapping lad at 6ft and weighing 85kg, defenders in the Dutch league may be getting a reprieve as he is linked with a move away from the Gelredome as his scintillating form has forced clubs from around Europe to sit up and take notice of his availability.
24? That's a bit old for us isn't it?
Perhaps, but when you're scoring 31 goals in 28 games in your second full season in a new league, it is hard to ignore. Bony is powerful, able to throw defenders around with his robust physical strength which also makes him a force in the air. He is not particularly quick, but he is adept at finding space with good movement, or even by shrugging defenders off in order to link the play. The defending in the Dutch league affords him a lot of space from which to work his quality, allowing him to make chances for himself and find space in the box.
This is what his game is about
Ivorian, big, powerful, plentiful scorer of goals, there is no surprise in the fact he is often described as the "new Didier Drogba".
Would that bode well for the future?
It remains to be seen. Scoring goals in the EreDivisie is good, but Afonso Alves, Middlesbrough's Brazilian figure of mockery, was potent, as was Bas Dost and Luuk De Jong who have both moved on to Germany. Bony's sheer athleticism and powerful strength will stand him in good stead against continental defences, but he may struggle against improved markers who will reduce the space he is allowed to produce his quality.
The surprise at Bony's form is best summed up by this Dutch football blog, who indicated some may think he was on drugs if he was a cyclist. 70% conversion rate??? Test him for doping...
Will he move on in the summer?
Aston Villa had an £8 million bid rejected for him last summer before they moved for fellow striking powerhouse Christian Benteke, whilst Liverpool have also shown an interest. After signing from Sparta Prague for 4 million Euros, hitting 46 goals in 63 games and becoming a regular for the Ivory Coast with 18 caps, they should be prepared to make a substantial profit on the one they call "the African Hulk". He has also been linked with Chelsea and West Ham as the Premier League calls for another physically dominant force.
He is Vitesse Arnhem's 24 year old Ivorian striker who has been scoring goals for fun over in Holland. A strapping lad at 6ft and weighing 85kg, defenders in the Dutch league may be getting a reprieve as he is linked with a move away from the Gelredome as his scintillating form has forced clubs from around Europe to sit up and take notice of his availability.
24? That's a bit old for us isn't it?
Perhaps, but when you're scoring 31 goals in 28 games in your second full season in a new league, it is hard to ignore. Bony is powerful, able to throw defenders around with his robust physical strength which also makes him a force in the air. He is not particularly quick, but he is adept at finding space with good movement, or even by shrugging defenders off in order to link the play. The defending in the Dutch league affords him a lot of space from which to work his quality, allowing him to make chances for himself and find space in the box.
This is what his game is about
Ivorian, big, powerful, plentiful scorer of goals, there is no surprise in the fact he is often described as the "new Didier Drogba".
Would that bode well for the future?
It remains to be seen. Scoring goals in the EreDivisie is good, but Afonso Alves, Middlesbrough's Brazilian figure of mockery, was potent, as was Bas Dost and Luuk De Jong who have both moved on to Germany. Bony's sheer athleticism and powerful strength will stand him in good stead against continental defences, but he may struggle against improved markers who will reduce the space he is allowed to produce his quality.
The surprise at Bony's form is best summed up by this Dutch football blog, who indicated some may think he was on drugs if he was a cyclist. 70% conversion rate??? Test him for doping...
Will he move on in the summer?
Aston Villa had an £8 million bid rejected for him last summer before they moved for fellow striking powerhouse Christian Benteke, whilst Liverpool have also shown an interest. After signing from Sparta Prague for 4 million Euros, hitting 46 goals in 63 games and becoming a regular for the Ivory Coast with 18 caps, they should be prepared to make a substantial profit on the one they call "the African Hulk". He has also been linked with Chelsea and West Ham as the Premier League calls for another physically dominant force.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
VIKTOR FISCHER
Who is he? Where does he play?
He's Ajax's talented Danish youngster who is not Christian Eriksen. At 18, is 3 years younger than his fellow countryman but the similarities are clear. He can play as a centre-forward, or in his more natural role on the left side of a three-pronged attack. Like all good graduates from the famed academy in Amsterdam, Fischer is blessed with the basics of close control and astounding balance.
Ajax definitely like their Danes don't they?
They certainly do. After Frank Arnesen, Soren Lerby, Michael Laudrup and Jesper Gronkjaer have passed through history, Fischer has joined Eriksen and Nicolai Boilesen at the Amsterdam ArenA has Ajax's future looks eternally bright. The ex-Midtjylland teenager is tipped to be one of the most promising talents however, with his pace, technical ability and vision making him an awesome attacking force at such a tender age. He can play as a number 10, but the Dutch club view him as better feeding off the work of a play-maker, hence his impressive tally of 10 goals from 21 games so far this season.
So he plays out on the left?
He does, playing alongside the wonderfully gifted Eriksen, he has helped Ajax go four points clear at the top of the EreDivisie with performances which showcase his superb ability. He has earned comparisons to Dennis Bergkamp after scoring this lovely chip. He can finish chances off well and create them with skill and poise, starting out on the left but popping up in various positions as manager Frank De Boer urges fluency and cohesion in his 4-3-3. He is a nightmare to mark given his fantastic balance and wizardry on the ball.
All this at 18?
Yep, it's frightening right? After coming from Midtjylland for a fee of 1.3 million euros in 2011, he helped Ajax reach the final of the Next-Gen series in 2011 before De Boer saw fit to promote him into the senior side, saying he reminded him of Barcelona's midfield magician Andres Iniesta. He has been slowly immersed into the side since then as Ajax remain cautious with his progression, though he has won the prestigious Ajax Talent of the Year award for this campaign. He can drift into space, dribble from deep and finish chances off with unerring composure, but remember, he's only 18! Just take a minute to marvel at that if you will.
We'll see the name much more often then?
We almost definitely will. Ajax's business model will probably dictate his sale but given his burgeoning career in Amsterdam, he will be in no rush to move on. It is indicative of his growing reputation on the continent that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and AC Milan have all been linked with the 18 year old.
With 2 caps for the Denmark national team and at a club that will afford him first team chances to aid his progression, it is hard to see why Fischer would leave in a World Cup year. But he surely will be a huge talent to keep an eye out for.
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