Jorrit Hendrix has been the unsung hero of the PSV Eindhoven’s line-up for the past two years and is now aiming for the national team.
- By Chaka Simbeye
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Jorrit Hendrix has been one of the most consistent performers in PSV’s last two title winning season and it is unjustifiably wrong that he has not been called up to the Dutch National Team yet. At only 21 years-old, he has already done so much in his career as naturally a precocious centre back but getting his chance in central midfield and playing across the backline at different parts of the last two years. He has been at PSV since he was 7 years-old and is one of PSV’s most commanding presences in midfield as wherever he plays, he gives 100%. The root-witten faithful are smitten with him while he is so highly regarded at PSV that he was tied down to a contract till 2020 last season.
Playing style
Physically imposing, athletic, technically skilled while possessing a motor that rarely stops and a left foot that play the most delicate of passes while sentencing attackers to the harshest of punishments in challenges. He is the modern day all-rounder midfielder while he possesses the tactical genius and adaptability to play different roles all across the pitch as he is unique in his versatility. He also has a knack of showing up in the big games, providing the match-winning assist in a match against Ajax last season, the assist that drew PSV level against CSKA Moscow in the final group stage game of the Champions League and scoring a late winner against Vitesse Arnhem. He is very mature beyond his years in his conduct off the pitch and on it as he doesn’t go to ground without thought while every pass and move of his seems to be well-schemed. He will need to hone the technical aspect of his game to become a true starter at the base of PSV’s midfield as he can’t match Andres Guardado in that aspect and also to catch the attention of Dutch National Team manager Danny Blind. The way he buzzes around the pitch plugging holes with anticipation as he is certainly a future leader at PSV Eindhoven.
What does the future hold for Hendrix?
This season will start as last as he is adored by the coaching staff that can’t guarantee him a starting place, especially if Marco van Ginkel returns on loan so he may have to settle for a place on the bench. Guardado has come leaps and bounds as a ‘pivot’ and Davy Propper brings craft and goals to the midfield while Van Ginkel is an engine but Hendrix could definitely find himself next to Guardado. He brings more balance to the team and is a great presser of the ball while bringing a tenacity that none of the PSV midfielders possess so he could make the starting lineup but only time will tell. In the next few years, Cocu will give him the keys to the midfield and he will be the presence that secures the defence and drives the team forward.
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