Steijn points to PSV: “He’s simply a very complete player.”
1 min readLast summer Sem Steijn from FC Twente came to Feyenoord after the midfielder, on behalf of the Tukkers, was still top scorer of the Netherlands in the 2024/2025 season and was also named Player of the Season. In Rotterdam, Steijn was immediately appointed captain after his arrival, but the midfielder could not live up to the high expectations due to many injuries.
Steijn was this season followed by PSV player Ismael Saibari as Player of the Season. Saibari had a strong season in which the midfielder repeatedly led Peter Bosz' side along.
Thus the Moroccan international was responsible for a hat-trick at De Kuip against Feyenoord (2-3), and also for the man who led the comeback in the home match against FC Utrecht (4-3). That is also something Steijn did not miss.
The Feyenoorder therefore has nothing but praise for the PSV player. ''He was outstanding. I really think he’s good because he can get past people. And he has pace and is powerful. He’s just a complete player,'' Steijn says in an interview with Voetbal International.
This season, Steijn still made his debut for the Netherlands national team, but partly due to the many injuries and the few playing minutes, he was no longer considered for a spot in the World Cup squad. ''I would have liked to be there. But it is simply how things turned out. I also had bad luck with my injuries; I didn't have that under control. Then it's frustrating and you can't really do much more about it. You also know a bit now how things work in the group and what the boys are like, so then I find it extra fun to go and watch,'' concludes the Feyenoord player.
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Steijn saying he missed the WK because of injuries is rough, but ngl PSV benefitted from it with Saibari. I do wonder if PSV will manage his workload now that he has that carrier-8 role. If not, you might see the same injury story repeat.
"Hij was weergaloos." The quotes are nice, but what matters is consistency. PSV were at their best when Saibari dragged the team forward, not when he was just present. If he can stay fit, that midfield is a banger. 🔥
I feel for Steijn though, injuries killed his chance for the NT and the World Cup squad. Still, Saibari taking that "Player of the Season" vibe and producing big moments vs Feyenoord and Utrecht is very PSV. 😍
"Hij is gewoon een hele complete speler" is a strong quote, but i agree with the reasoning. Saibari looked like the player who connects transitions to end product, not only retention. If he continues to stay available, PSV can make games feel controlled.
Lol Steijn saying he can be passed and still has power and pace... thats basically what we want from our 8. If only the rest of the midfield could make similar runs, we'd be even more lethal. 💯
I like Saibari, but i still want more goals from midfield overall. 2-3 and 4-3 show the impact, still, PSV should make sure his game doesn't rely only on moments. If the system supports him better, it will be even more scary.
"Hij is gewoon een hele complete speler" is spot on. Against Feyenoord he literally dragged the team into games, and Saibari's ability to beat a man in tight spaces is the difference-maker. 👀
tbh Steijn praising Saibari after taking him to De Kuip and Utrecht says it all. That hattrick in Rotterdam plus the comeback involvement... bro, thats not luck. PSV should build around that kind of profile.
lol this is one of those comments where you can hear a player is scared of the press... Saibari just turns into the extra problem every time he gets space. ❤️
Tbh Steijn calling him "hele complete speler" makes sense. He can beat a man, carry the ball, and still do the simple stuff. That's exactly what PSV needed in the middle.
Saibari calling him "een hele complete speler" is facts. He has that first step to beat a man and then the power to carry it through, not just pretty passes. If Bosz can keep him fit, PSV midfield gets way more lethal.
Saibari really looked like the "complete midfielder" this season. The hattrick vs Feyenoord and that Utrecht comeback were mental. If he keeps that level, Bosz has no excuse not to build through him.
Saibari being called a complete player hits, tbh. If he keeps accelerating through midfield like that, Bosz will have a field day.🔥