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15 June 2019
Four Youth Prospects Promoted To First Team Duties
19 year old goalkeeper Justin Bijlow is one of four youth prospects who have been told by Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst that they will be training with the first team and in contention for first team duties ahead of the upcoming 2018/2019 season. The move comes as van Bronckhorst begins to put preparations in place for the new season and it is believed that the manager has chosen the players to join the first team set up ahead of unnecessarily spending money on others players capable of playing in their positions, this continuing the Feyenoord’s tradition of heavily using it’s academy.
Bijlow spent last season out on loan at English second tier side Derby County, where the young goalkeeper made just two appearances for the first team. However Bijlow counts the experience as vital in preparing him for first team football at Feyenoord and the youngster confirmed he was ready to fight tooth and nail to establish himself in the side this season.
”We have some very good goalkeepers in this squad but I am committed and prepared to fight for my place and play plenty of football. It is an incredible honor for me to be even considered for first team football here and I am going to show the manager and the fans that they were right to put their faith in me.”
Joining Bijlow in the first team this season is young left back Tyrell Malacia. With Calvin Verdonk looking likely to join Excelsior on loan, van Bronckhorst is believed to have made the decision to call Malacia into the first team having been impressed by the youngsters performances at youth team level.
”Tyrell has done very well at youth team level and whenever I have watched him has impressed me considerably. We have worked very closely with Tyrell and the coaches in our under 19 team to ensure that he is ready for this step up and I am looking forward to seeing what he can do for us this season.”
With the departure of Rick Karsdorp looking likely following interest from Manchester City and Juventus, Boyd Reith will feature in the first team this season, having spent last season on loan at Jupiler League side FC Volendam. Reith made 37 appearances for Volendam, scoring one goal and assisting three during his season at the club as Volendam finished 13th in the Jupiler League and Reith said
”I am very excited by the chance to play first team football for Feyenoord this year. The manager said I had impressed him during my time at Volendam and I am looking forward to continuing those good performances at Feyenoord over the coming year.”
The final prospect making the step up to first team level is midfielder Jordy Wehrmann. Wehrmann is believed to be viewed by many as Jens Toornstra’s natural heir and with a bid from Celta Vigo expected any day, the time seems right for Wehrmann to join the first team picture. Wehrmann spent last season on loan at Austrian Bundesliga side St-Pollen with Jochen Fallman, St-Pollen’s manager, believing that in Wehrmann, Feyenoord have a player capable of setting the Eredivisie alight.
”He is a fantastic prospect and played some brilliant football for us. Our loss really is Feyenoord’s gain and hopefully he can go on to establish himself as a top quality midfielder both for Feyenoord and in the future the Dutch national team.”
Comments
Justice: If Haller scores 50 there’ll be no stopping us!
ScottT: Where there is a Sebastien Haller, there is a way! Also I’m honoured man
De Magere: Double or nothing domestically! Getting to the Round of 16 of the CL would be brilliant but the likelihood is that we’ll meet some of the big boys this year so we shall see!