The 20/21 Eredivisie season begins this Friday and we will preview the expectations of each Eredivisie club. In this article, we look at Feyenoord.
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Jaap Stam’s appointment as Feyenoord head coach last summer turned out to be a big error by the club, but Dick Advocaat turned their fortunes around when he took over in January.
Feyenoord went unbeaten from January and looked like they could mount a late title challenge before the season was ended early, and they were forced to settle for third.
Now, Advocaat will remain in charge for a full season and is aiming to take the title before he retires in a years time.
Transfers
It’s been an excellent summer for Feyenoord so far, who managed to convince Orkun Kokcu to remain despite interest from Arsenal. Steven Berghuis has also stayed.
Renato Tapia has departed, but Feyenoord has managed to bring in Mark Diemers, Bryan Linssen, Christian Conteh, and João Carlos Teixeira, while they still remain in the hunt for a new defender.
Crysencio Summerville was set to get a chance to impress in Feyenoord’s squad, but he has instead decided to leave for Leeds United.
Head Coach
Dick Advocaat totally turned the club around last season after Stam was sacked and this possibly could be the 72-year-old’s final year before retiring.
The little general will have Feyenoord motivated and playing an attacking 4-3-3 this season, and he will want to depart having a shot at the title.
Key Players
Steven Berghuis finished joint top scorer in the league last season and the winger will be influential to the club’s success once again.
Marco Senesi is an excellent centre-back, who had a great first year in the Eredivisie, while Leroy Fer’s form in midfield led to him being recalled to the Dutch national team. Bryan Linssen is an excellent signing for the club and he could chip in with some crucial goals from the wing.
Young Players to watch
Orkun Kokcu (19) is one of the most talented young players to come through the Feyenoord academy in years and he was a standout for the club last season. Feyenoord managed to convince him to sign a new deal despite the interest of several clubs, and the attacking midfielder will be eager to star in the league this season.
Wouter Burger (19) has returned from a loan at Excelsior to fight for his place in the Feyenoord midfield and will be a stand-in for Fer, while Robert Bozenik (20) could replace Jorgensen up front if the Dane doesn’t find his form. Young winger Luis Sinisterra is currently out injured but will be one to watch when he returns in the new year.
Preseason
Feyenoord have had a decent preseason, recording wins over Sparta Rotterdam (3-0), Borussia Dortmund (3-1), and MSV Duisberg (2-1), while drawing against FC Twente (0-0), and Arminia Bielefeld (0-0).
However, they lost their final two matches against Hamburg (1-0) and Club Brugge (2-1)
Strongest line-up
Bijlow, Nieuwkoop Haps, Botteghin, Senesi, Fer, Toornstra, Kokcu, Linssen (Sinisterra when fit), Berghuis, Jorgensen
Predicted finish
Dick Advocaat was an excellent appointment by Feyenoord last season and it will be interesting to see how he does with a full campaign in charge.
The club have so far managed to keep their star named and added some decent players to the squad too. All over the pitch they look strong and there is no reason why the Rotterdam club cannot challenge for the title.