At the mid-point of the 2014/15, we take a look at the progress made by some of the players who left De Kuip over the summer.
- By Adrian Bucher
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You could forgive Feyenoord fans for having a pessimistic outlook of the 2014/15 season. With the departure of several key players that made Feyenoord one of the Eredivisie’s strongest side’s, and following an underwhelming start to the season, things were not looking good for the Rotterdam outfit. It is now January 2015, and things have improved dramatically with Fred Rutten’s men breaking back into the Eredivisie’s podium. With happy days seemingly returning, many fans will be left wondering as to how their departed players have fared since leaving De Kuip. We take a look at four such players:
Graziano Pellè
The supplier of the bulk of Feyenoord’s goals during his time in Rotterdam, Pellè now plies his trade in the English Premier League with this season’s surprise package, Southampton – reuniting with Ronald Koeman. With 8 goals and 2 assists in 19 appearances, the Italian has contributed to just under a third of Southampton’s goals so far this season. Sitting sixth in the top scorers chart, and fourth on the most number of shots per game, Pellè has also seen his transfer value rise (as per tranfermarkt) by almost 25% since leaving Feyenoord, as well as finally earning his first senior international cap for the Italian national team, scoring on his debut.
Stefan de Vrij
A standout player at last summer’s FIFA World Cup, de Vrij has since moved to SS Lazio in the Italian Serie A. After a shaky start to life in the capital (including a forgettable debut and a sending off in his third game), de Vrij has become an important player for the Roman side currently engaged in a tense battle for third place. Boasting a high number of interceptions and clearances per game (3.4 and 6.9, respectively), de Vrij has continued to show his fine skills following on from an impressive showing for the national team in Brazil – as highlighted by his increase in transfer value by almost two-thirds (as per transfermarkt).
Bruno Martins Indi
Like de Vrij, Martins Indi was a player that made over 100 appearances for Feyenoord. Now with Porto, Martins Indi is the only one of Feyenoord’s high profile departures that have been able to participate in this year’s edition of the UEFA Champions League, and has done so to a high standard, putting in some commanding performances in the group stage. Currently sitting second in the Primeira Liga, Martins Indi has been a member of the defence that has conceded the fewest amount of goals so far this season.
Daryl Janmaat
Comparatively, Janmaat has been making smaller splashes in the world of football than his ex-teammates, but, like his ex-teammates has become a key protagonist to his new side. Like Pellè, Janmaat now finds himself in the UK, but instead plays for Newcastle United. Though th Magpies are currently sitting mid-table in the Premier League, Janmaat’s contributions have been lauded by fans. Leading his side’s in terms of assists made (4), the man from South Holland played a vital role in his side’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea last month, and has continued to put in some strong showings this season.
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