Tag Archives: Karim Rekik

PSV wish to sign Man City youngster

PSV sporting director Marcel Brands has stated that the Eredivisie champions wish to make the permanent signing of Manchester City loanee defender Karim Rekik when the transfer window opens on June 1st.

The defender, still only 20 years old, has been loaned to the Eindhoven side for the last two seasons and in that time Rekik has formed a strong central defensive partnership with former Chelsea youth Jeffrey Bruma.

After just clinching the Eredivisie title, PSV are looking to use the money from the sale of Memphis Depay to Manchester United to build a squad to compete in the UEFA Champions’ League group stages next term.

Brands speaking to De Telegraaf on Friday, the director confirmed that PSV wish to keep Rekik for the foreseeable future: “Karim simply has three options for next season. Firstly, he stays here and we buy him. That would hopefully be practicable for both parties. Another option is that he stays at Manchester City, however that is the least likely option. And last, another club buys him.”

He added that City were looking to loan the young defender out again, however that is an option that the defender has rejected:  “Karim wishes to breakthrough to the Dutch national squad and Manchester City wished to loan him into a different league, but Karim refused. At PSV knows he better chance of playing in the European Championships next summer. But for now, he has a choice to make.”

One would presume that the defender will make a statement on his future soon after the season ends next weekend, so if staying at PSV is not an option, the club can look elsewhere to help build the team for next year.

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Man City defender makes loan move to PSV

Young Dutch central defender Karim Rekik has returned to PSV Eindhoven on loan after arrival of Eliaquim Mangala put him further down the pecking order at Manchester City writes Will Burns.

PSV TV speaking to Rekik - image courtesy of PSV Media

The competition for places in the centre of the Premier League champions’ defence made a major stumbling block for the future of Rekik in Manchester.

The 19-year-old defender enjoyed a successful spell in Eindhoven last term under head coach Philip Cocu, where the youngster formed a great partnership with Jeffrey Bruma and made 25 Eredivisie starts. Then Dutch coach, Louis van Gaal was impressed with the performances of the 6ft 1inch defender, Rekik was selected in the Oranje’s 30-man provisional squad before the World Cup finals this summer.

PSV technical director Marcel Brands has been very vocal about wishing to take Rekik back into the squad this season and with the arrival of French international Eliaquim Mangala from Porto for £32million, City boss Manuel Pellegrini made the decision to let Rekik rejoin the Eindhoven club.

Today saw the announcement from PSV that Rekik has indeed joined on a season-long loan deal and could be ready to re-debut for PSV against NAC Breda this Saturday night at the Philips Stadion. This player must boost PSV’s title challenge and may see rivals Ajax, Feyenoord and FC Twente further strengthen their squads before the September 2nd transfer deadline.

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No PSV return for Man City’s Rekik

After impressing in Eindhoven last year, Karim Rekik was rumoured to be offered a return to the Philips Stadion ahead of the new Eredivisie campaign. However, in an interview with CityTV today, the defender stated he is out to earn a place in Manuel Pellegrini’s starting line-up at Manchester City.

The big 6ft 1inch central defender had an outstanding year last season under Philip Cocu playing 30 times in all competitions for PSV. He impressed Oranje coach Louis van Gaal too, who named him in his pre-World Cup 30-man provisional squad.

PSV technical director has discussed with the press the possibility of the young defender returning for another stint on loan but in Rekik’s latest interview, the youngster has stated he wants to “fight for a place” at City.

Rekik returned to Manchester this summer and is now currently with the first team in Scotland as part of City’s pre-season program.  The 19-year-old is hoping that regular football last year in the Eredivisie has prepared him for his City future.

Rekik told City TV: “I just played every game which I think is important for a young player and it was a great experience for me. I have to spoke to him [Pellegrini] and he said that I had a good year last year and that I need to work now and fight for my place.”

“I will see if I’m ready [City’s first team] and that’s the choice of the manager,” he continued.

You can watch Karim’s full interview below via Youtube and City TV.

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In a 33 man squad, RVP & Huntelaar return for France clash

Header-Oranje

Oranje coach Louis van Gaal has named a huge 33-man provisional squad for the Netherlands’ friendly match with France on March 5th in Paris. The friendly with France is the first of four warm-up games for the Dutch ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Dutch captain Robin van Persie returns after having missed his country’s last two friendlies through injury.

Also recalled is Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who has only recently made his comeback after a knee injury. The 30-year-old striker had spent five months on the sidelines but has scored two goals in four league appearances for the Bundesliga side since returning to action after the winter break.

Van Gaal has also announced six players to his squad who could win their first cap including dangerous winger Jean-Paul Boëtius, who has been in great form over the past few months for Feyenoord and could receive his first cap in Paris. Other possible debutants in the squad include PSV pair Karim Rekik and goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet, FC Twente’s Quincy Promes, Vitesse’s Davy Pröpper and Ajax’s Davy Klaassen.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Jasper CILLESSEN (Ajax), Tim KRUL (Newcastle United), Maarten STEKELENBURG (Fulham), Kenneth VERMEER (Ajax), Michel VORM (Swansea City), Jeroen ZOET (PSV).

DEFENDERS: Daley BLIND (Ajax), Jeffrey BRUMA (PSV), Stefan DE VRIJ (Feyenoord), Bruno MARTINS INDI (Feyenoord), Daryl JANMAAT (Feyenoord), Karim REKIK (PSV), Gregory VAN DER WIEL (Paris Saint-Germain), Joel VELTMAN (Ajax), Paul VERHAEGH (FC Augsburg), Ron VLAAR (Aston Villa).

MIDFIELDERS: Jordy CLASIE (Feyenoord), Nigel DE JONG (AC Milan), Siem DE JONG (Ajax), Leroy FER (Norwich City), Davy KLAASSEN (Ajax), Davy PROPPER (Vitesse), Stijn SCHAARS (PSV), Wesley SNEIJDER (Galatasaray), Kevin STROOTMAN (AS Roma).

FORWARDS: Jean-Paul BOETIUS (Feyenoord), Memphis DEPAY (PSV), Klaas-Jan HUNTELAAR (Schalke), Dirk KUYT (Fenerbahçe), Luciano NARSINGH (PSV), Quincy PROMES (FC Twente), Arjen ROBBEN (Bayern Munich), Robin VAN PERSIE (Manchester United).

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25 EREDIVISIE STARS OF THE SEASON… SO FAR – PART 4

Header-EredivisieTop25SoFar

The Eredivisie season restarts after the winter break on Friday night, so as a preview, we have decided to rundown the stars of the division so far this season.

Here’s Will Burns with  the next five…

Vitesse - Kelvin Leerdam

Feyenoord must be ruing the day they let Mr. Leerdam join Vitesse Arnhem on a free transfer in the summer. Although, the Rotterdam side have a fantastic right-back in Daryl Janmaat, he does not have the goalscoring prowess of Kelvin Leerdam.

From sixteen appearances this season, 14 games at right-back, Leerdam has notched up seven goals, including three goals in that last four games. Not bad for a free transfer.

A true attacking full-back, Leerdam is a confident dribbler and at times acting as a supplementary right-winger. The 23-year-old has continued to be dependable defending too. He has made 36 tackles, 23 interceptions and 58 clearances so far this campaign. 

Feyenoord - Graziano Pelle

The Italian hitman is a bit of a godfather in front of goal, showing no mercy and laying all his opponents to rest. Once again, it has been a tremendous season for Pelle, at 29-years-old, he has notched 13 in 16 starts.

The man from Lecce is the epitome of an old-fashioned ‘no. 9’ – the ability to hold the ball up, bringing others into the game, great movement, good in the air, a good football brain and a lethal finisher. It is no wonder how it finds it so easy to score in the Eredivisie.

Feyenoord has scored 36 league goals so far this term, Pelle has scored 36% of them and with the Rotterdam side sitting just four points of the leaders, then a strong challenge to win their first Eredivisie title since the 1998/99 season.

Vitesse - Lucas Piazon

This is personally my pick of the best player of the half-season. Another talent on-loan from Chelsea, no-one can argue that the young Brazilian has not made the most impact out of all of them.

At just 19, he has become Vitesse Arnhem’s quarterback, everytime he receives the ball, the Arnhem side look likely to score. He has amazing figures in front of goal, from 16 starts, Piazón has scored 11 goals and created 8 assists.

With Piazon at the helm, leading the team forward, currently joint on points with Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie, Vitesse look to have the best chance of the past few years in stopping the Amsterdammers stranglehold on the league championship.

FC Twente - Quincy Promes

Promes was has made a real impact at Twente this year and it’s not surprising since he was named the winner of the Eerste Divisie’s player of the year award, last season while at the promoted Go Ahead Eagles.

Sitting on the right side of attack in a 4-3-3, Promes is finishing as many chances, as he creates them. From 15 games, the 22-year-old has scored eight times while providing four assists. He loves a shot from outside the area and has let fire a total of 49 shots.

This season, he has linked up tremendously with Dusan Tadić and Luc Castaignos and all three are responsible to the impressive third place that Twente are sitting in, just three points from joint leaders Ajax and Vitesse, proving that the division is not a two-horse race.

PSV - Karim Rekik

Averaging 6.6 clearances per game, Karim Rekik has become one of the first names on Philip Cocu’s team sheet at PSV this season, although it has been a disappointing campaign for the young side.

Rekik, himself only 19, joined this summer on loan from Manchester City and already PSV Director of Football Marcel Brands has admitted he has enquired about keeping him for the 14/15 season also.

Standing at 6ft 1inches tall, Rekik uses his height to his advantage for aerial duels and headed clearances. He is proving to be strong in the air, currently winning 73.6% of his aerial duels. Karim is capable of playing from the back, an attribute which is steadily gaining real significance for the PSV backline. 

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EREDIVISIE TEAM OF THE WEEK #4

Header-EredivisieTeamOfTheWeek

Welcome to our weekly section at TotalDutchFootball.com – the Eredivisie Team of the Week. Below you will see our ‘Player of the Week’ also – each player will be allocated points and at the end of the season we will declare our ‘Player of the Season’. Each player will be given one point for being named in our team and the ‘Player of the Week’ will gain two points.

WEEK 4

20130827 - Week 4 Eredivisie

GOALKEEPER

Piet Velthuizen (Vitesse) – A fine performance that kept Vitesse Arnhem a clean sheet in their 1-0 over FC Twente.

DEFENDERS

Henk Dijkhuizen (Roda JC) – Attacking well against ADO, capped with a lovely goal and a clean sheet in Roda’s 4-0 win.

Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord) – A strong commanding display that kept the Feye backline tight in Sunday’s 3-1 victory over NAC Breda.

Darryl Lachman (PEC Zwolle) – The Zwolle defender is fast becoming the breakout star of the Eredivisie, cool, calm central defender and dangerous in the attack.

Bram van Polen (PEC Zwolle) – Another attacking full-back, surging forward and causing problems for Cambuur.

MIDFIELDERS

Kamohelo Mokotjo (PEC Zwolle) – Yet another excellent performance from the South-African, former club Feyenoord looked to have made a major mistake letting him go on a free.

Anouar Kali (Roda JC) – Another free transfer in the summer, never let ADO Den Haag midfield get in the game and terrorized their defence.

Mitchell Donald (Roda JC) – A smart headed goal that helped his team to their dominating 4-0 win over ADO.

ATTACKERS

Alfred Finnabogason (Heerenveen) – Scored a brace in the big 3-3 draw with Ajax on Friday night.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord) – The Italian striker was Feyenoord’s hat-trick hero giving Ronald Koeman’s men their first win of the season

Mark-Jan Fledderus (Roda JC) – The Roda captain lead his team to the best win of the season and created one and scored a great free-kick goal.

Header-PlayerOfTheSeason

EREDIVISIE PLAYER OF THE 2013/14 SEASON AWARD
NAME POS TEAM POTW POINTS
Kamohelo Mokotjo MF PEC Zwolle   3
Tjaronn Chery MF FC Groningen 1 2
Graziano Pelle ST Feyenoord 1 2
Zakaria Bakkali ST PSV 1 2
Youness Mokhtar MF PEC Zwolle 1 2
Christian Eriksen MF Ajax   2
Georginio Wijnaldum MF/ST PSV   2
Jetro Willems DF PSV   2
Alfred Finnbogason ST Heerenveen   2
Darryl Lachman DF PEC Zwolle   2

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PSV pair picked by Van Gaal

Header-Oranje

PSV Eindhoven’s young centre back duo, Jeffrey Bruma and Karim Rekik, have been called up by Louis van Gaal for the Oranje’s two World Cup qualifiers next month. The pair featured in Tuesday’s Champions League’s 1-1 draw with PSV and AC Milan.

It is the first time that Rekik has received a call up, joining PSV on loan from Manchester City. while Bruma, who already has four international caps, has been selected for the first time under Van Gaal’s leadership.

Eighteen-year-old Rekik and the 21-year-old Bruma are part of Philip Cocu’s youthful PSV side who have took the Eredivisie by storm this season, winning all three games of the year so far.

However, the 22-man squad for the two away World Cup qualifiers against Estonia in Tallinn on September 6th and Andorra on September 10th, announced by the KNVB on Wednesday, is again without Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who was surprisingly dropped for friendly against Portugal earlier this month.

Van Gaal stated then that he felt that Sneijder was not fit enough. Schalke striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Swansea City’s Jonathan de Guzman and AS Roma’s Kevin Strootman all miss out of the squad selection with injuries.

The Dutch are seven points clear in Group D and will qualify for Brazil if they win these next two games.

Oranje squad to play Estonia & Andorra in World Cup Qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax), Michel Vorm (Swansea City)

Defenders: Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Daley Blind (Ajax), Jeffrey Bruma (PSV), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Joris Mathijsen (Feyenoord), Karim Rekik (PSV), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord)

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Marco van Ginkel (Chelsea), Rafael van der Vaart (HSV), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV), Stijn Schaars (PSV).

Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Robin van Persie (Manchester United), Ruben Schaken (Feyenoord), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Norwich City).

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EREDIVISIE TEAM OF THE WEEK #3

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Welcome to our weekly section at TotalDutchFootball.com – the Eredivisie Team of the Week. Below you will see our ‘Player of the Week’ also – each player will be allocated points and at the end of the season we will declare our ‘Player of the Season’. Each player will be given one point for being named in our team and the ‘Player of the Week’ will gain two points.

WEEK 3

20130821 - Week 3 Eredivisie

GOALKEEPER

Filip Kurto (Roda JC) – A fine performance that kept Vitesse Arnhem at bay on Sunday and earned his side a point.

DEFENDERS

Joshua Brenet (PSV) – Replaced the poor Santiago Arias and excelled in the 3-0 win over Go Ahead Eagles. Earned his starting spot against AC Milan on Tuesday night.

Mike te Weirik (Heracles) – A wonderful long range goal and a dominating display to help his side to a 4-2 away victory at Heerenveen.

Karim Rekik (PSV) – Kept the dangerous Marnix Kolder under control throughout and looked ready for Mario Balotelli and co on Tuesday.

Jetro Willems (PSV) – Surging forward and always causing problems to Go Ahead. Improving rapidly on last season’s baptism of fire

MIDFIELDERS

Erik Bakker (SC Cambuur) – A commanding performance leading his team to their first win of the season, capped with a well-taken goal and an assist.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK Youness Mokhtar (PEC Zwolle) – The biggest cog in the PEC Zwolle machine, fleeting about, involved in every attack and grabbing a great goal in the process.

Nemanja Gudelj (AZ Alkmaar) – Two assists for the former NAC Breda man who has settled in well under Gertjan Verbeek.

ATTACKERS

Luc Castaignos (FC Twente) – Scored a brace in the big 6-0 win over FC Utrecht.

Kolbeinn Sigþórsson (Ajax) – His two goals on Sunday lunchtime kept his side in the title race, fighting back from a goal down to Feyenoord.

Bryan Linssen (Heracles) – A sublime bit of skill with a lashing shot earned the new signing from VVV Venlo a wonder goal and the final spot in the Team of the Week.

Header-PlayerOfTheSeason

EREDIVISIE PLAYER OF THE 2013/14 SEASON AWARD
NAME POS TEAM POTW POINTS
Tjaronn Chery MF FC Groningen 1 2
Zakaria Bakkali ST PSV 1 2
Youness Mokhtar MF PEC Zwolle 1 2
Kamohelo Mokotjo MF PEC Zwolle   2
Christian Eriksen MF Ajax   2
Georginio Wijnaldum MF/ST PSV   2
Jetro Willems DF PSV   2

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A look at PSV’s Karim Rekik

There are rumours of Manchester City being interested in signing a centre-back (Pepe to be precise) as Joleon Lescott seeks more playing time before the World Cup which may not be possible at City due to the meteoric emergence of Mataja Nastasic. But there’s one player who may well compete for the starting spot in the central defence in the upcoming years, Karim Rekik. Rekik is well known in the youth circuit and is rated as one of the most promising player from City.

Background

Karim Rekik,18, (Left Foot) plays for the Netherlands youth and is of Tunisian descent. Rekik spent 9 years at the Feyenoord academy before moving to Manchester at a very young age. He made his City debut at the age of 16 when he came on from the bench as a substitute for Wayne Bridge against Birmingham City in a League Cup tie. He was latter loaned to Portsmouth where he was a regular player on the team list having started 8 matches, usually occupying the Left back position for the
Pompeys. The next loan spell to Blackburn was a frustrating one as he started in only 4 matches and
being named on the bench in 8 matches. He made his Premier League debut in December when he started against Reading in a 1-0 victory, again occupying the Left back spot. Currently he is at PSV Eindhoven on loan and produced a match winning performance against Fenerbahce in 2-0 in the recent friendly, starting at his natural centre-back position. Rekik is a regular member for the Netherlands Youth national team. Infact, Rekik captains the Netherlands U19 squad. He had to withdraw from the U19 Euros because of his loan spell at PSV.

Scout Report

In his own words,Rekik’s natural position is centre-back but he can cover up the left-back spot whenever needed. Rekik has been/is the captain of Feyenoord youth, City reserves and the Netherlands youth national team. Despite his young age, he has already acquired some handy experience. Standing 6 foot 1 inch tall, Rekik uses his height to good use. He is very strong in the air and we can expect some power headers from him in set piece situations. Being robust, he is very difficult to push off the ball. Rekik is extremely confident possession and he showed his rich variety of passes in the recent friendly against Fenerbahce. He can read the game very well and has brilliant anticipation and intercepting skills to handle any Strikers next move. Rekik is well composed in any situations but at the same time does not shy away from sliding in a tackle. He is always there to challenge for ground or aerial 50/50 and his leadership qualities can be seen in the way he conducts himself on the pitch. He positions himself well and it won’t be surprising to see him in the City squad by next season itself. Rekik is the only left footed centre-back at PSV and with the highly rated Jetro Willems at left-back, Rekik will get to play at his preferred position more often.

The loan spell at PSV is a very good platform for Rekik to announce himself and to gain more  experience from playing at the top level. There’s no doubt Rekik will come out as a more developed player at the end of this loan spell. Rekik said he wants to represent Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup, It maybe a too high target to achieve in such less time but no denying this young lad will be the first choice centre back for Netherlands and City very soon.

SIDDHANTH CHAURASIYA

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PSV loan Man City starlet

Local Eindhoven newspaper Omroep Brabant are reporting that Philip Cocu has clinched his fourth reinforcement for the PSV squad of the transfer window, with Karim Rekik joining on a season-long loan from English Premier League side Manchester City.

20130706 - Karim Rekik

The highly-rated Rekik, an 18-year-old Dutch/Tunisian central defender, will be unveiled and will join up with his new side on Monday.

Rekik signed for Manchester City from Feyenoord in the summer of 2011, and made his debut appearance for the first team in the Dublin Super Cup in pre-season. He made his official first team debut for Manchester City on 21 September 2011 against Birmingham City in the third round of the League Cup, making a substitute appearance. In 2011/12 he was loaned to Portsmouth making eight starts and last season he spent it in the English second tier, The Championship, with Blackburn Rovers, but unfortunately only made five appearances for the Lancashire club.

This is the first deal between the Eindhoven club and Manchester City since beginning a partnership back in May.

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