Tag Archives: Feyenoord

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REPORT

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Feyenoord 1-2 Besiktas

July 30, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – THIRD ROUND QUALIFYING – FIRST LEG

FEYENOORD 1 – 2 BEŞIKTAŞ

A late penalty gave Feyenoord a major lifeline in the Champions League qualifying tie with Beşiktaş after failing to impress in the 2-1 defeat inside De Kuip this evening.

It was a very unfamiliar side fielded by Fred Rutten, heavily depleted from this summer’s transfers. Ruben Schaken moved into the unusual right-back position with youngster Sven van Beek partnering veteran Joris Mathijsen in the centre. Dutch international Terence Kongolo began on the left of defence with Jordy Clasie and Tonny Vilhena protecting the back four, and Lex Immers pressing on. Jean-Paul Boetuis and Wesley Verhoek appeared on the wings giving support to inexperienced front-man Mitchell te Vrede.

Feyenoord, roared on by 50,000 Rotterdammers, exploded out the blocks and attacked the boys from Istanbul from the off, however, failed to create any decent chances. In fact, their first shot on goal did not arrive until three minutes before half-time, and it was a poor effort by Boëtius who dragged his shot wide of the target.

After it being all the home side for the first 13 minutes, the Turkish side got the opening goal from a corner on 13 minutes. The set-piece was whipped in and some terrible marking by Mathijsen allowed Mustafa Pektemek to rise above and head home to grab a vital away goal.

Throughout the first 45 minutes, Feyenoord struggled to break down Beşiktaş, the team who kept the most clean sheets in the Turkish top flight last season. The visitors looked in shape and well prepared by coach Slaven Bilic and pressed Feyenoord back, as De Kuip became frustrated and the game develop into a scrappy affair. With four bookings pulled out of Italian referee Luca Banti’s pocket in an uneventful first half.

After the interval, it was more of the same and inside the final twenty minutes the Turkish side wrapped up the victory. The impressive Kerim Koyunlu sprinted down the right wing unmarked and emerged into the area. He lashed a shot towards goal that goalkeeper Mulder looked to have covered but unfortunately it took a wicked deflection off substitute Khalid Boulahrouz and into the net.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of the crowd but gave Feyenoord a little life. However, they started to press more and gained some success forcing saves out of Tolga Zengin. But it was late on where the home supporters got a little relief.

The Feyenoord fans went home a tad happier after Ramon Motta conceded a penalty for a foul on tricky substitute Elvis Manu three minutes into stoppage time. Young striker Mitchell te Vrede converted the spot kick to give Beşiktaş a slender lead into the second leg next Wednesday night.

TEAMS

FEYENOORD: Mulder, Schaken (Boulahrouz 61), Van Beek, Mathijsen, Kongolo, Clasie, Immers, Vilhena, Verhoek (Manu 65), Te Vrede, Boëtius.

SUBS NOT USED: Hahn, Vormer, Nelom, Karsdorp, Achahbar.

GOALS: Te Verde 90+4P.

BOOKINGS: Verhoek 31, Boëtius 39.

BESIKTAS: Zengin, Kurtulus, Franco, Gülüm, Motta, Koyunlu (Cenk Tosun 89), Uysal, Özyakup (Ba 59), Hutchinson, Şahan (Ismail Koybasi 75), Pektemek.

SUBS NOT USED: Cenk Gonen, Sivok, Boral, Holosko.

GOALS: Pektemek 13, Koyunlu 71.

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FEATURE

What makes Feyenoord’s De Kuip so special?

July 29, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Stadion Feijenoord or De Kuip (the tub) as it is more commonly known has been around for 77 years. In 1935, club president Leen Van Zandvliet wanted to build a stadium unlike anything that could be found in mainland Europe. He wanted it to be built out of glass, steel and concrete which it was. Many well known footballing clubs such as Barcelona when building their own stadiums such as the Nou Camp, used the Stadion Feijenoord as a blueprint writes Andries Oosterveen.

The stadium has since its construction in 1937 has seen it’s capacity change. Its original capacity was 64,000. That was increased to 69,000 and then in 1994 after a renovation the capacity was reduced to it’s current figure of 51,117.

But what makes De Kuip special, unique and unlike any other stadium in Holland?

Besides the atmosphere, for many years UEFA have recognized that De Kuip is the finest stadium in Holland. As a result, a five star status was awarded to the stadium which means it fulfills the highest quality criteria of UEFA. No other stadium in Holland has held eleven European finals like De Kuip has with more recent important deciders being the final of the 2000 European Championships and the final of the 2002 UEFA Cup in which Feyenoord beat Borussia Dortmund.

It is clear that the stadium has an iconic place in Dutch footballing history which is cemented even further in that the final of the KNVB Cup is traditionally held there each year.

The Dutch national teams players are often asked time and time again which stadium in Holland would they prefer to play their home games at. The answer is always the same – De Kuip. This temple has consistently and traditionally provided the best playing pitch in the country and is absolutely brimming with history too.

What about the future of De Kuip?

It has been clear that since 2006 De Kuip has needed modernizing and the facilities for supporters needed improving. The big stumbling blocks have been the support of the fans, finance and whether to build a completely new stadium or improve on the current one. Despite that, if you were to put your money on any club being able to fill a stadium time and time again it would be on Feyenoord.

The latest news, at the time of writing, is of a 70,000 all seater stadium for the new “De Nieuwe Kuip” stadium. The idea is to blend the existing buildings with new ones. A high-tech membrane roof would enable the stadium to be covered. The outside of the stadium would consist of a “smart skin” comprising of LED lighting with moving images. Construction work would take place during the season and would allow Feyenoord to continue playing there during the construction phrase. Building would be due to commence in 2015 and finish in 2017.

Here is hoping that in the next six months the FFC (Feyenoord Founders Consortium) along with Stichting 1 will deliver what will be Hollands biggest stadium and a home fit for the the country’s best fans whilst at the same time ensuring that the new stadium does not lose the soul and magic that the original De Kuip had but that it continues along with more dreams and more special memories.

BETTING TIPS, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW: Feyenoord vs. Besiktas

July 29, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – THIRD ROUND QUALIFYING – FIRST LEG

FEYENOORD vs. BEŞIKTAŞ (19:00 BST)

Already this match for Feyenoord is the one of the most important of the season, and they go in to battle depleted after a summer of transfers.

After a strong World Cup for the Dutch squad, defensive trio Daryl Janmaat, Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij managed to enhance their reputations that earned them moves at Newcastle United, FC Porto and Lazio respectively. However, the big loss to Fred Rutten’s side may be the departure of Graziano Pellè to Southampton. Last season, the big Italian notched 23 goals in 28 games and technical director Martin van Geel has failed to bring a replacement before Wednesday’s clash with Beşiktaş.

The pressure will be on the massive shoulders of young target man Mitchell te Vrede to produce goals. Standing at 6ft 3inches, his build will be a threat to the Turkish defence however, the inexperience of the big game atmosphere may get inside the head of the big forward and the occasion may be too much for him. Although the attacking threats of Jean-Paul Boetius, Lex Immers and Ruben Schaken could take off some of the burden, although the latter is doubtful with a knee problem.

In defence, losing three big names has really hampered Feyenoord’s chances in this game. At right-back, 19-year-old Rick Karsdorp, who normally lines up in midfield, is set to make his first-team debut in this huge encounter. In the centre, Rutten has veteran pairing Joris Mathijsen and Khalid Boulahrouz available for selection with Terence Kongolo also in contention, although the 20 year old may slot in at left back. If Rutten chooses not to play Kongolo, look to Miquel Nelom to sit in the left of defence. The back four will not fill Feyenoord supporters full of confidence and Slaven Bilic’s side will look to attack down Karsdorp’s side.

With finishing third last season in Turkish Süperlig, Beşiktaş should not have qualified for the Champions League and were only granted the slot in place of Fenerbahçe, who were been banned from European competition due to a match-fixing scandal last season. They travel to Holland with new striker Demba Ba in tow. Ba has a phenomenal goal scoring record at all clubs he has represented and will be a huge threat in this game so Rutten will be looking to stop the Senegal international receiving the ball.

Providing him could see Dutch-born attacking midfielder Oğuzhan Özyakup and his excellent range of passing looking to thread Ba through on goal. Jordy Clasie and Tonny Vilhena in the middle of the park will have the job of keeping the former Arsenal man quiet. Up top with Ba could see a partnership with either Cenk Tosun, a celebrated youngster from Gaziantepspor or Mustafa Pektemek, a longtime goal scorer on either side of the Bosphorus strait.

Key to Feyenoord’s plans to defuse Beşiktaş will be dealing with the Turkish team’s flexibility. Bilic may opt to deploy wingers and have former PSV midfielder Atiba Hutchinson play with Özyakup in the centre with Olcay Şahan playing advanced in midfield.

The big question is how can Fred Rutten motivate his team after suffering such losses of quality in their team? If he succeeds, then young players can enter this contest with some confidence and possibly get themselves a result. However, this is a huge task lining up against the leadership of Slaven Bilic. Bilic has defined Besiktas with a new tactical system, described by Sinan Schwarting of Besiktas-International.com as ‘Dortmund-like.’ With the likes of Şahan, Özyakup, Tosun, Pektemek and Ba closing down the Feyenoord defence, this may be a challenge too far for the under-strength Rotterdammers.

I would love to see a Feyenoord win and watch them progress in the second leg with the lead, but my head says they will struggle to score and I fancy the Turkish side to head back to Istanbul with a slight advantage.

At Bet Victor, Beşiktaş to come away from De Kuip with a win is being offered at massive 5/2, this is our best bet for this Champions League clash.

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

Lazio clinch De Vrij signing

July 28, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Lazio have acquired the services of Stefan de Vrij, who will undergo a medical tomorrow morning, from Feyenoord. The fee is believed to be in the region of €8.5 million.

Director of Communications for Lazio Style Radio announced that they had signed “the best defender at the World Cup.”

The Dutch defender was linked with Manchester United this season, but Lazio were always involved in the race to sign the defender, who will be delighted to announce the signing after losing out on the signing of David Astori to fierce rivals AS Roma.

De Vrij has also been pushing for the deal and Lazio director, Igli Tare, let it be known that the 22-year-old was angling for a move to Lazio with Manchester United never involved in transfer talk. The move comes as confirmation of Tare’s comments.

De Vrij’s favoured position is centre-half and he was indeed one of the best players on a Dutch squad that made it to the semi-final, and were eventually beaten by runners-up Argentina.

The central defender has already appeared 135 times in the Eredivisie, while also scoring a career high four goals during last year’s campaign.

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FEATURE

Four Eredivisie players to help rebuild Southampton?

July 28, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Like his former club Feyenoord, this past summer has seen Ronald Koeman’s new club Southampton of the Premier League totally diminished. The Saints have seen Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren all depart to join Liverpool, Luke Shaw has left for Manchester United and today, Callum Chambers signing for Arsenal.

Koeman has been left with a lot of rebuilding at Southampton and obviously, the Dutch coach knows the Eredivisie very well. This transfer window has already seen him raid Feyenoord to take Italian striker Graziano Pellè to St. Marys and Dušan Tadić has been recruited from FC Twente. Anyone watching the Dutch top flight over the last two seasons has saw Pellè and Tadić emerge as two of the very best the league had to offer, so it would not surprise anyone if Koeman will return to the league to boost his first team options.

Today, Will Burns looks at four potential targets in the Eredivisie that Koeman may wish to take to Southampton.

JEFFREY GOUWELEEUW (Central Defender – AZ Alkmaar)

Gouweleeuw is a 23-year-old defender who has over 100 Eredivisie appearances under his belt after quickly progressing through the youth teams at Heerenveen. He secured a move to AZ Alkmaar last summer and has excelled as a classy performer. For a 6ft 1in defender, he has outstanding feet with great confidence and has no doubts about carrying the ball out of defence. His excellent pace who fit in lovely with Southampton, breaking on the attack if needed, whilst also covering his colleagues at the back.

KAMOHELO MOKOTJO (Central Midfielder – PEC Zwolle)

Ron Jans stated that Mokotjo was the “buy of the summer” last year when the South African arrived from Feyenoord on a free transfer. Indeed he was, after helping Zwolle to their first ever KNVB Beker cup final in their 104 year history, they defeated the mighty Ajax 5-1. The 23-year-old is a hard-working, Duracell-bunny like midfielder who gives his all for the team and could shine in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.

JORDY CLASIE (Central Midfielder – Feyenoord)

Once nicknamed ‘the Dutch Xavi’, this 22-year-old midfielder has incredible vision and awareness, allowing him to play chess on the field and think of his next move. After making lots of interceptions, Clasie rarely loses possession and has the ability to control a match with his sharp passing. A tough-tackler that would add some meat to the Southampton midfield.

JEAN-PAUL BOËTIUS (Winger – Feyenoord)

Boëtius is a speed winger who combines pace with technique and creativity; he panics full-backs with his marauding runs. Game after game he is proving to be a rising star which in fairness, however, at 20 years old he possibly could do with another year at Feyenoord to gain more experience. Nevertheless, Koeman may decide his confidence and no fear approach may help out at Southampton this season. He combined tremendously last season with Graziano Pelle in Rotterdam, he could do the same in Southampton.

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NEWS, PLAYER SPOTLIGHT, TRANSFERS

Middlesbrough target latest name linked to Feyenoord

July 28, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Genk striker Jelle Vossen is latest name linked to Feyenoord to replace Graziano Pelle. The Rotterdam club are in dire need of players after losing Stefan de Vrij from their already depleted squad today.

Feyenoord have virtually monopolised the Eredivisie transfer talk this summer and Vossen seems to the latest in a huge lists of names set to replace Pelle who joined Southampton earlier this month. The Belgian international was left out of the Genk squad for their opening day 3-1 defeat to KV Mechelen and last night he was mentioned by a reliable source of the game on Belgian TV.

On Belgian sports programme Stadion, Dutch analyst Aad de Mos stated: “From my sources, Feyenoord could be in for Vossen. They are looking for a striker to replace Pelle and it would not surprise me if we here news of this on Monday.”

Genk have come out straight away and deny all rumours and stated that the 25-year-old was injured and thus why he was left out last night, however, Feyenoord are not the only club linked to Vossen. All summer long, the Belgian has been rumoured to be moving to English Championship with Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough. Karanka is known to be a big fan of the player although the club may struggle with raising the transfer fee for the player. Genk are waiting for a big bid for Vossen, who has hit the net 57 times in 105 games in the three years preceding last season.

To find out a bit more on Vossen we asked WorldFootballWeekly.com‘s Belgian expert Shane Ireland on his thoughts of the striker.

“Vossen is one of the Pro League’s deadliest attackers, regularly finding himself towards the top of the goalscoring rankings. However, during the 2013/14 season, the striker experienced a mediocre campaign by his standards, yet scored 12 goals at a rate of around one in every three matches.

Previous campaigns have seen Vossen experience truly superb goalscoring form – he was pipped to the Pro League top scorer award in both the 2010/11 and 2011/11 seasons, scoring an impressive 40 goals in 73 matches across the two years. Overall, in eight seasons at Genk, Vossen has scored 85 times in 216 appearances.

Vossen spent the 2009/10 season on loan at Cercle Brugge, ending this spell with six goals in 17 matches and at 25 years of age, the forward still has many years at the top level ahead of him, and will hope to add to his 12 Belgium caps if he seals a move to the Eredivisie.

The former Tongeren youth player has enjoyed a successful career at Genk, winning the Pro League in 2011 alongside the Super Cup in the same year, before adding to the Belgian Cup triumph in 2009 with another domestic cup success in 2013.

Vossen’s playing style is not that of a classic “number nine.” but he can offer a multitude of attacking options however. He can play in the out-and-out striker role, but is comfortable as a secondary forward, backing up another attacker. Vossen can also take up a deep role, allowing another striker more freedom but his statistics don’t lie – he is dangerous wherever he is played across the forward line.”

Whether Vossen ends up in the Eredivisie or the Championship, on his past record he surely can prove to be a hit in either.

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FEATURE

Feyenoord’s ‘Het Legioen’ – Pride of the South

July 28, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Amsterdam may be the home of the Eredivisie title BUT Rotterdam is definitely the home of the most loyal, passionate and best fans in Holland. Feyenoord’s supporters are seen as being some of the best in the world and to those who are familiar with Dutch football they are known as Het Legioen or The Legion in English.

The number 12 is also associated with them and Feyenoord football club never gives out that number to any squad player but instead it is reserved for the Het Legioen. It doesn’t matter how badly Feyenoord are playing or what the score is, the passion, the undying loyalty and love that the fans have for Feyenoord never changes. Feyenoord Rotterdam is one club where the supporters are not tourists.

On their way to winning the 2002 UEFA Cup, Feyenoord beat Inter Milan in the semi-finals. Ex ‘020’ player and then Inter Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf after the game in Rotterdam, said “I really enjoyed the atmosphere in De Kuip, as an ex-Ajax player I was really given the bird, but that’s all part of the emotions in football. It also illustrates the intense way in which the Feyenoord supporters experience their club’s matches“.

There is also a well known saying in Rotterdam that visitors to Feyenoord are known to have caught a virus called the ‘Feyenoord Virus’. It is meant to be a strange feeling but one which motivates and inspires them to visit several times if not again and again.

FEATURE

Ronald Koeman – Feyenoorder For Life

July 27, 2014 Will Burns 1 Comment

During the Summer of 2011 it was no secret that Feyenoord were a complete mess. It was the club’s worst ever season in history, the team had no quality and direction, there was no money for new players and the coach Mario Been had been sacked as the players also had no confidence in him.

Feyenoord then decided to approach and appoint Ronald Koeman. Despite having played for Feyenoord for two years Koeman also had managed rivals PSV Eindhoven and Ajax Amsterdam. So to Feyenoord fans he was not a Feyenoorder and there was plenty of doubts and sceptism with his arrival.

Today in 2014 Koeman is seen as being an amazing manager. Despite Feyenoord having the fourth highest budget in Dutch football there was never any money to spend on new players. in his 3 years at the club Feyenoord finished third once on goal difference and second twice. This is even more special as there was no investment in the squad and most of the starting XI were youth players from the highly successful Varkenwood academy. In this time Koeman managed to identify and bring in on loan both John Guidetti and Graziano Pelle, who turned out to be prolific goalscorers and developed youth players who have all reached the top such as Jordy Clasie, Terence Kongolo, Tonny Vilhena, Jean-Paul Boetius, Stefan De Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi. The 5-3-2 formation used by Holland in the 2014 World Cup was also created by Koeman and used to great effect especially when Feyenoord were playing away against tricky opposition. His emphasis and focus on youth development, tactical innovation, discipline and motivation of players was the basis of a successful, fruitful and rewarding period at Feyenoord for both the club and himself.

Despite not winning a trophy or the Eredivisie title, Ronald Koeman and Feyenoord came together at the right time and in not perfect conditions but he has proven all doubters wrong and in his 3 years at the club returned both himself and Feyenoord back to the top of Dutch football where they belong.

In his final game Koeman became the first ever Feyenoord manager to receive a guard of honour from the club’s players and staff.

Ronald Koeman. Once a Feyenoorder always a Feyenoorder.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, FEATURE

Feyenoord’s Champions League opponents – Besiktas

July 27, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Beşiktaş and Feyenoord are similar in more ways than one. Both sides have few league titles in the 21st century and both teams have been absent from the Champions League for an extended period of time writes Yusuf Naishi.

Both droughts are less devastating in the case of Beşiktaş although Feyenoord manages to retain some pride in that they beat Borussia Dortmund in 2002’s UEFA Cup final at home in De Kuip stadium.

Beşiktaş are coming off their first season under the leadership of Slaven Bilić. The Croatian has extended his influence over the team with transfers and a new tactical system, described by Sinan Schwarting of Besiktas-international.com as ‘Dortmund-like.’

Bilić managed to bring long time Trabzon goalkeeper Tolga Zengin to Istanbul. Beşiktaş have lacked a consistent keeper in recent times and Zengin had an excellent campaign this past season and led in clean sheets. Zengin provides a tough challenge for any opposition as long as the players in front of him also do their jobs.

Beşiktaş has also been building up young talent. Although Bilić has opted to play them sparingly several youngsters appear ready to reach the big time.

Oğuzhan Özyakup, whom some in the Netherlands may remember as a Dutch international at youth level, has the experience and talent to lead the midfield this season. He will be expected to fill bigger shoes, however, now that Manuel Fernandes has left for the Russian league. Fernandes was an excellent number 10 for Beşiktaş’s even as he broke down opposition defences in his humble number 4 shirt.

Departing attacker Hugo Almeida scored a respectable 13 goals over 31 matches last season but he suffered several scoring droughts and did not have many other teammates to make up for those goalless spells. Thus, if Beşiktaş had any reason to make a transfer this summer it would be to bring in a striker.

That is exactly what the board of directors have done in bringing Demba Ba from Chelsea to Turkey. Although the Senegalese forward disappointed many in his time in London, his goal-scoring ability is unquestionable as his record at Newcastle United shows.

Ba can expect acceptable partnerships in front of goal with either Cenk Tosun, a celebrated youngster from Gaziantepspor or Mustafa Pektemek, a longtime goal scorer on either side of the Bosphorus strait.

Key to Feyenoord’s plans to defuse Beşiktaş will be dealing with the Turkish team’s flexibility. Bilic may opt to deploy wingers and have Canadian international Atiba Hutchinson play with Özyakup in the centre of midfield with Olcay Şahan playing advanced in midfield.

But what fans dressed in red and white are wondering is if Beşiktaş can prevent them from their first Champion’s League campaign since 2001.

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NEWS

Feyenoord’s Indian Adventure

July 27, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

In today’s modern game of football, clubs in Europe are and have been for a while looking to create a partnership or link up with clubs from various parts of the world. Reasons for that include exchanging coaching ideas, young players, getting their club name into that country’s market to sell more replica shirts and merchandise. Popular destinations for creating such partnerships include the United States, Japan, South Africa, Australia and China.

But what about India? If one takes cricket for example, it is very clear to see that there is a lot of potential and opportunity there. This coming September sees the start of the Indian Super League and if successful could be a new, unheard of and until now untouched market for European clubs to get their foot into.

Feyenoord continue to be Holland’s modern day success story and quite possibly raised that benchmark even higher by forming a partnership with a franchise in the ISL called the Delhi Dynamos.

“Feyenoord Rotterdam is thrilled to be associated with the Delhi Dynamos. The Indian football opportunity is huge, and we are looking forward to assisting DEN in creating a fantastic team and ecosystem through the Indian Super League “.

Gido Vader, Feyenoord’s Head of International Relations

Feyenoord would be assisting in the overall development of the team, provide players and technical staff as well as share their extensive knowledge of football with the Delhi Dynamos. Apart from the coach and physio, Delhi would have a Feyenoord youth academy player playing for them in the first season.

INTRODUCING THE DELHI DYNAMOS

The Delhi Dynamos are a Delhi based football franchise who will play their home games at the Jawaharhal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. They are one of the eight franchises who will form the ISL and India’s leading cable TV company, DEN Networks, won the bidding for the franchise.

To add further Dutch involvement, they will be coached by the 52-year old, Harm Van Veldhoven. His career includes management stints at Lommel, FC Brussels, Cercle Brugge, KV Mechelen, Germinal Beerschot and Roda JC. During that time he won the Belgian Second Division championship with Lommel and got them to a cup final, along with winning the Second Division title again with FC Brussels.

This has the makings of an interesting and exciting venture for Feyenoord and as the last five years have shown, the Delhi Dynamos could not have chosen a better club from the Netherlands to develop not only their franchise and playing talent, but also to help increase the popularity of football in a cricket-mad country such as India.

NEWS, TRANSFERS

Feyenoord want top young Argentine striker

July 27, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

San Lorenzo’s impressive run in this year’s Copa Libertadores has seen El Ciclón on the brink of the biggest achievement in the Buenos Aires giants history but has also seen a number of their players attract interest from elsewhere. The latest is 20-year-old striker, Héctor Villalba, who Feyenoord are reportedly discussing a potential €2.6 million move.

Reports in Argentina suggest that officials from Feyenoord have travelled to Buenos Aires to discuss the transfer of Héctor Villalba. A statement from San Lorenzo has confirmed that no official offer has been submitted as yet but it is known that the 20-year-old striker has a $3.5 million (around €2.6m) buy-out clause.

Any deal is likely to be delayed in any case until after the Copa Libertadores Final, as San Lorenzo have negotiated with several other players. The Final, played over two legs, takes place on August 6th and 13th, two weeks before the European Transfer Window closes which would leave plenty of time for any transfer to be completed. However, Feyenoord appear keen to finalise any deal before that and remove the risk of any other potential suitors moving in.

Villalba’s transfer to Europe is inevitable at some point. The stocky, powerful striker is blessed with lightening pace and is capable of the truly spectacular. It was one of these moments which catapulted Villalba into the limelight, when in the Torneo Final 2013 in the clásico against Racing, the 18-year-old Villalba burst from his own half through the heart of the Racing side and thumped the ball into the net for one of the goals of the season.

Since then, Villalba has perhaps been over-shadowed slightly by another of San Lorenzo’s youngster, Ángel Correa, who recently completed a move to Atlético Madrid. Villalba perhaps does not have the vision or creativity of Correa but as a pacy-direct striker, his potential is huge.

For this reason, Feyenoord have identified him as a possible target given their need to strengthen the attack after the sale of Graziano Pelle, who was sold to Southampton earlier in the window.

San Lorenzo will be loathed to lose another key-player but if he can help to win the Copa Libertadores before departing it would soften the blow.

Click the name above to follow Peter on Twitter and read lots more of him at Golazo Argentino

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

Feyenoord want Man City striker

July 22, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

John Guidetti is a strong candidate to replace Graziano Pellè at Feyenoord. After Wolfsburg striker Bas Dost has laughed off reports that he return to the Eredivisie, the Rotterdam club’s sporting director Martin van Geel has stated Guidetti is on the list to replace the Italian.

Talking to RTV Rijmond, Van Geel spoke highly of the young Swedish striker, “The name of John Guidetti will always be remembered by our supporters. John has become this legend since the season he was here, he was incredible. He’s always in our thoughts and he ticks all the boxes for us. We will make our best move for him. Preferably as soon as possible”

Guidetti has struggled at the other clubs he went on loan to, but took to the Eredivisie like a fish to water, scoring 20 goals in 23 games for Feyenoord during the 2011-2012. Ronald Koeman, who was manager of Feyenoord during Guidetti’s loan spell, might be interested in bringing him to his new club, Southampton, as a replacement for the departed Rickie Lambert. It was Sven Goran Eriksson who spotted the youngster and brought him to Manchester.

However, it hasn’t all been upward trending for the young Swede. In 2012, Guidetti ate an infected piece of chicken, lost the feeling in one of his legs and lost an entire season due to the mishap. He has returned with a point to prove and at the age of 22, it could be time for the striker to get a fairer share of first team football. With Manchester City’s striking options, it appears unlikely he will be given these chances in the Premier League.

If he were to return to Feyenoord, it would be to warm welcome from the fans. We’re quite sure that he would welcome them back into his life, also.

Click on Robbie’s name above to follow him on Twitter.

FEATURE

Rooire Marck – A Feyenoord Legend

July 22, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Rooire Marck was a lifelong Feyenoord supporter and a popular and much loved member of the club’s legendary supporter group known as Het Legioen. Sadly, Rooire had been battling cancer and had been told by doctors that he had little time left to live. After hearing this, Rooire had one wish which was to see Feyenoord once more… writes Andries Oosterveen.

Feyenoord is a club like no other in Holland or Europe for that. The predictable thing to do would have been to hold one minutes silence, write something in the programme or send a signed t-shirt with one or two players to the hospital. One of the many things that makes Feyenoord really special is that the fans turn up in large numbers no matter if the team is playing well or bad and even if it is just a friendly. The tickets always sell out within minutes.

It is a Feyenoord tradition that fans turns up in their hundreds if not thousands to the first training session of the new season. They put on a spectacular pyro show, sing songs and greet both new and returning players. This is not a family day out to the beach. However the 2013/14 season was not about the players but about Rooire Marck. Rooire was at the training session, on a hospital trolley with family and friends. He was too ill to even stand up. He watched from the side as supporters in the stands welcomed the players on to the field by setting off lots of flares. Rooire could not just lie there, so he summoned up all his strength and stood up with the roars of the fans and chants also motivating him. He applauded the players with a huge smile on his face and a tear in his eye. However, there was a nice surprise in store for him, planned by his fellow supporters.

This is what the first training session of the season looks like

His fellow supporters had not forgotten him and what he was going through and revealed a huge banner with a drawing of Rooire on it. At the same time, they hurled beach balls into the air and set off flares and smoke bombs in tribute to one of their own. They showed their support even more by singing the most passionate version of Liverpool FCs anthem “You Will Never Walk Alone“.

Despite the seriousness of Rooire’s illness, what happened next was amazing. As he walked with his family and friends to the opposite side of the stadium whilst holding a flag, the Feyenoord players came on to show their respect and tribute to one of their biggest fans. The whole squad lined up to shake hands and embrace the man who thought of them as heroes and presented him with his own t-shirt. Rooire then delivered a passionate speech to the players whilst thumping the Feyenoord badge on his shirt.

As he then got closer and closer to the fans, they roared louder and louder. More songs were sung for Rooire and the stadium was filled with smoke from more pyro in his honour. The chants of “Come on Rooire, Come on Rooire” filled the air. When he was almost 20 yards from the fans he pushed away his family and friends who had been supporting him and walked the final steps and blew kisses to the fans whilst again thumping the Feyenoord badge on his shirt. He then led the crowd in the chant of “Feyenoord Till I Die” and thanked them all for their amazing support.

Todays football is all about television deals, merchandising, making profits and keeping shareholders happy. Fans are just seen as customers sadly. The story of Rooire Marck is a strong reminder of what football is really about and again another reference as to why Feyenoord football club and its fans are the best in Holland and quite possibly Europe.