Uber talented winger Steven Bergwijn is ready to follow in Memphis Depay’s footsteps and break into the PSV Eindhoven first team.
- By Michael Bell
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Born in Amsterdam, Bergwijn started his career in the youth teams of Ajax, but the youngster grew unhappy with his local club and in 2011 joined PSV Eindhoven at the age of 14.
The winger immediately felt at home with PSV and quickly worked his way through the age groups, making his debut in professional football for Jong PSV in the Eerste Divisie in 2014. A few months after his Jong PSV bow he made his debut in the first team against Almere City in the KNVB Cup, providing an assist in a 5-1 win.
Last season after the departure of Memphis Depay, Bergwijn was expected to make the step up to the first team and he signed a new four-year deal. However, Bergwijn only made eight appearances, and played mostly in the Eerste Divisie for Jong PSV, scoring nine times in twenty games.
Bergwijn has been an established member in the youth teams of Netherlands, starring at the U17 European Championships in 2014, and the U19 Euros this summer. In 16 matches for the Oranje U19’s, Bergwijn has netted eight times.
Style of play
The 18-year-old is an exceptionally talented winger, who has been compared to Memphis Depay, Eden Hazard and Arjen Robben. Bergwijn’s dribbling skills are a joy to watch and he drifts past opponents at will. His composure in front of goal is of the highest quality as well as his distribution in the final third.
Bergwijn may look small in stature, but he is hard to nudge of the ball and reads the game better than most experienced players.
Mostly played on the left wing, Bergwijn can also move over to the right and has been used as a centre forward for Jong PSV.
What to expect from Bergwijn this season
After Memphis left last summer Bergwijn was expected to be his replacement, but instead PSV signed Maxime Lestienne. However, director Marcel Brands decided not to pursue the Belgian permanently with the idea of Bergwijn finally being promoted to the first team.
He is only 18, but Bergwijn is one of the most talented youngsters in the Eredivisie and is ready to take the league by storm if given the chance by Phillip Cocu. He showed he is ready with his performances in the Eerste Divisie last season, and Bergwijn is just waiting to be unleashed permanently in the Eredivisie.
The smart money will be on Bergwijn to be named young player of the year by the end of the season.
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