Luciano Narsingh has come from rejection and injury to become a pivotal of the PSV starting XI this season. Here is a look at his journey.
- By Chaka Simbeye
- Follow @chaka_simbeye
In PSV’s comeback 3-1 win away to Ajax at the Amsterdam ArenA, one of the goals proved to be symbolic to the narrative of a young boy dreaming of making it as a footballer to being a footballer and all that lies in between. It was PSV 2nd goal in which Luuk De Jong won the ball and drove deep into the Ajax half where he layed the ball onto an onrushing Luciano Narsingh who plucked the ball from between his legs, past Cilissen and into the net. He celebrated by getting on his knees and pointing to the sky.
The celebration wasn’t as symbolic as the where and the who as the winger scored against the club that had rejected him as a youngster for being too small. Of course, his talents were eventually picked up and he came through the talent factory that is Heerenveen’s youth system but the journey wasn’t always straight forward and that’s what his celebration was attesting too.
After a breakout season which saw him bag an outstanding 22 assists at Heerenveen, he signed for PSV under current Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat where he started well then a knee ligament injury effectively ended his season. By the time he returned, the Dutch media was rife with speculation that new manager Phillip Cocu wasn’t convinced by him and after months in a bit-part role, he was given his chance by Cocu against Ajax and ‘cometh the moment, cometh the man’ with a goal and an assist.
Although come the end of the season if (probably when) PSV win the title, all the plaudits may go to the leaving heroes Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum, Narsingh deserves a fair share of the credit. Playing as a right forward in a PSV 4-3-3, he is always available on the counter-attack and if not, he’s the man starting it. When he finds his rhythm and verve on the right flank, few defenders can bare him with his quick feet, burly upper body strength and lightening quick pace.
Another quality of Narsingh’s is his ability to pick out a pinpoint crosses which allow PSV to spread their play and be dangerous from the right flank with Colombian fullback Santiago Arias supporting him. Gone is the ‘small’ boy trying to prove himself at Ajax and this season he has been replaced with a self-assured 24 year-old who proves himself for PSV.
Luciano Narsingh has created 44 chances for PSV this season as he is the personification of PSV’s style of play because his immense ability allows him to do so much with so little of the ball. He makes 21 passes a game at an 80% succession rate with 1 pass being key. Narsingh has contributed 6 goals and 7 assists this season as PSV sit on top of the Eredivisie 11 points clear of title holders Ajax. Although this has earned him a place in Guus Hiddink’s latest Holland squad, it should be known that he should do more and see more of the ball next season after the departure of Depay.
Luciano Narsingh is now one of the first names on Phillip Cocu’s team list and has been an integral of PSV’s title challenge this season. He has established himself as a player with a strong will and character that has earned back the favour of PSV and Holland fans after many obstacles in his career.
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