Valentijn Driessen responds to Luuk de Jong and a future at Feyenoord; De Jong looking for a new club
1 min readThe future of Luuk de Jong has suddenly and out of nowhere become a topic of conversation again now that the figurehead of PSV is nearing full fitness. De Jong was under contract last season with FC Porto, but he suffered a serious injury early on and began a long rehabilitation.
“Luuk de Jong was Thursday briefly back on familiar ground. The 36-year-old striker paid a visit to PSV, for whom he spent eight seasons across two spells. De Jong is not thinking about stopping yet", multiple media reported.
“De Jong moved from PSV to FC Porto last year on a free transfer and got off to a strong start in his new adventure. At the beginning of December, bad luck struck and the powerful striker suffered a severe knee injury. De Jong stayed in Portugal working on his recovery and is now in the final stage of his rehabilitation,” wrote Voetbal International.
A return to PSV is really out of the question, but De Jong is available as a free agent: “A return to PSV is not under consideration. In the shirt of the champions, De Jong made a total of 338 appearances, in which he scored 186 goals and provided 98 assists. De Jong feels fit, but still needs time to become match fit. It is not yet known where his future lies", Voetbal International reported.
In conversation with several media, De Jong said more than a year ago, ahead of his move to FC Porto: “If I keep going in the Netherlands, that would be with PSV. If it turns out differently, it will be abroad. Everything and anything is being speculated about, and that’s part of top-level sport. But for me, it’s clear: if I continue in the Netherlands, it’s with PSV.”
After his career, the striker will of course return to PSV, although it is not yet clear in which role. “We’ll keep talking about that too. But I’ve indicated that I first want to focus on finishing this season as well as possible. First get that second place, then I’ll evaluate what I really want.”
Friday afternoon, De Jong suddenly turned out to be a topic of conversation at De Telegraaf. Valentijn Driessen said in the football podcast Kick-Off of De Telegraaf that he does not see a transfer from Luuk de Jong to Feyenoord happening, after presenter Pim Sedee suggested Feyenoord as De Jong’s new club.
Driessen thinks that the striker, because of his club past at PSV in combination with his status in the Netherlands, simply does not have the motivation or the desire to play for the Rotterdam club.
Comments10
Lets gooooo, if we score first i think the game opens up big time 🚀🔥. Keep it simple, tempo up, and finish our chances.
🔥🔥🔥 That switch in the second half was pure peak PSV. When we keep the ball moving faster, they cannot set up defensively. Let's goooo 🚀⚽
"control the tempo" sounds nice, but if the ball keeps recycling with no penetration, thats not control, thats permission. We need more direct passes into the half-spaces, especially when the wingbacks tuck in 👀
Imo the most important thing is how our back line steps up. The moment we jump, the space behind becomes instant danger, especially against their fastest runner.
We controlled it for long spells, but once they started forcing our fullbacks inside, it looked shaky again. Til tbh that change in tactics, our build-up felt a bit predictable, not gonna lie 😅
LOOOL, if Gakpo is starting again i better see him drop to find the ball, not just wait for service. Give him the 10-space and we cook.
"PSV Inside" said the pressing triggers are the key... but last match we pressed 5 seconds too late and paid for it 😂. Make it early or dont make it at all.
If the plan is to keep playing that high press, we need Pepi-level work rate in midfield too. Benitez or whoever it was supposed to "control the tempo" cannot be jogging when Ajax break the line.
Ngl, im not fully convinced by the wide width today. When the winger cuts in, we need the overlapping fullback, otherwise its just predictable crosses into defenders.
Brilliant if PSV can keep winning those second balls in midfield. If we let the opponent settle, it turns into a long night fast...