Following the announcement that Feyenoord have acquired the services of the Brazilian centre-back, Eric Botteghin shows that he is interested in nothing more than himself.
- By Adrian Bucher
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It’s a move that makes little practical sense. On Thursday, it was revealed that Groningen and Feyenoord came to an agreement regarding the transfer of Eric Bottehin for a fee of €2.2 million. The Brazilian has proven himself to be one of the Eredivisie’s best defenders, therefore his transfer to a bigger club should come as little surprise, and is a reality that Groningen fans have become all too familiar with in recent years. Nevertheless, the choice of joining the Rotterdam outfit speaks volumes about Botteghin’s character.
Of course, there’s the argument that Feyenoord are one of the most decorated sides in both the Netherlands and in Europe, and for weeks the defender has welcomed the overtures from De Kuip, citing professional development as the key motivator. It turns out that that’s an appalling argument. Despite finishing above Groningen in the table last season, Feyenoord failed to qualify for European football this season, unlike Groningen who were able to secure a spot in this season’s UEFA Europa League, courtesy of their historic KNVB Cup victory in May. Instead, the Trots van het Noorden will have to brave European waters without one of their key players, and not a lot of time to find a suitable replacement and integrate him into the team.
If Botteghin was genuinely interested in professional development, he would have opted to remain at the Euroborg and participate in, at the very least, the group stages of this season’s Europa League. He has proven himself to be an excellent defender, capable of shutting out some of the Eredivisie’s most lethal strikers, and the opportunity to demonstrate his skills on the European stage would more-than-likely attract interest from clubs around the continent that are more prestigious than Feyenoord, or any current Eredivisie team for that matter.
So why pass up on this opportunity? Botteghin has no experience in the finals of any international competition, and will make his European debut at the age of 29 should Feyenoord find themselves playing European football this time next season – and there are no guarantees that will happen, or that he will still be in Rotterdam come September 2016. Perhaps Botteghin does not want to leave the Eredivisie having spent the entirety of his senior career in the country, but this would show a lack of ambition for the same player that claimed that professional development was his excuse for wanting leaving Erwin van de Looi’s side.
Perhaps it was Groningen’s decision to sell Botteghin in the last year of his current contract, rather than losing him next year on a Bosman deal. Such a scenario seems unlikely given van de Looi’s comments to the press earlier this month as transfer speculation was mounting. However, what does seem likely is that Groningen would not have been able to match Feyenoord’s salary offer. But then again, this brings us back to the point made about catching the eyes of other clubs in Europe with a bigger payroll by participating in this season’s Europa League. Is it the case then that Feyenoord offered Botteghin the best salary, at this point in time? That would thus show a remarkable short-sightedness on the part of the Brazilian.
Let’s talk in hypotheticals for a moment. Picture this: it’s December 2015. After deciding to stay at Groningen, Botteghin has earned the admiration of several clubs around Europe, include those in the Eredivisie, for his defensive contributions in the group stages of the Europa League. As January 2016 comes around, more clubs are knocking on Groningen’s door asking for the defender whose contract is set to expire in June. In this scenario, Botteghin would suddenly be a in a very strong negotiating position.
Of course Groningen fans will be disappointed that the heart of their defence has departed, as is always the case whenever any gifted player leaves the Euroborg. But what makes this one sting a bit more is that it feels like Botteghin has committed adultery at the expense of the Green-White Army faithful. Time will tell whether this does indeed prove to be the right choice for the defender, but one thing’s for sure, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many Groningen fans.
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Pure 100% BS. Sorry but this entire article is nothing more than sour grapes. if he stayed he gets what? 2 games in the Europa tourney? That is it. he moved to a bigger club with a higher profile. Now has some financial security, a legit chance to win the league title, and Champions League football. Look at Feyenoord’s potential backline: Kongolo, van der heijden, Van Beek, and now Botteghin. That is really good!
Well, this IS an opinion piece. The group stages of the Europa League consists of six matches running until December – six European matches more than Feyenoord will see this year, and six matches to expose himself on the European stage.
Even after the rebuilding, I don’t see Feyenoord as legitimate title contenders this season.
Opinions are fine, we all have those. If you would have said “you think it is a bad move” for various reasons, fine. That is opinion. But you didn’t. You attacked the player for doing what all of us would have done in the same spot. Was it selfish when he moved from Brazil to Zwolle? how about Zwolle to Breda? maybe from Breda to Groningen? or is it only selfish that he moved to Feyenoord?
I would agree with you that for this year, and this year only he would be better with the green n white. But long term he is better with the bigger club.
The article is actually listed as being an opinion, which you will notice under the headline.
The crucial part to understand is that Botteghin is moving sideways and not forward. This season, he will be playing against the same teams from the same league as last year (net of the promoted/relegated teams, ofc).
His move from Brazil was a move forward, as it was a move from one league to another one that is perceived as being better. However, now he is postponing his development by another year, and there will not be much room for improvement beyond this season, as he is soon approaching 30.
A good example is to look at Memphis Depay, who decided not to transfer to Manchester Utd. in the summer of 2014, a team that offered no European football, and stayed with PSV before leaving the following year. That made sense. This one doesn’t.
Just to clarify, I have no objection to the actual transfer, have nothing against Feyenoord, and am not particularly a fan of Groningen. My problem lies with Botteghin’s stated reason for leaving, which, according to my opinion, as clearly noted above, is neither an honest reason, nor one that makes sense, given his comments.
I stopped reading at the part when you were writing that Feyenoord has a legit chance to win the league title. Frankly it made me giggle!!
Now that is an opinion. With the losses at PSV, AJAX, and others plus the adds at feyenoord it will be a 3 way fight for the top. At the end of the season the top 3 will all be within 5 points of each other. The order is the question.
Have to agree with Rich. This is a silly article! It’s clearly a case of moving on to bigger and better things.
Look, Adrian’s entitled to his views, but must respect others views also. However, it’s hard to imagine why Botteghin would refuse a move to Feyenoord from Groningen. Regardless of anyone’s personal allegiances, Feyenoord is the better opportunity. No doubt about that.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and my opinion is that this “article” is a total load of rubbish.
Keep them coming AB