Name: Jordy Clasie
Club: Feyenoord
Nationality: Dutch
Position: Midfield
Who is he?
The 21-year-old is a product of Feyenoord’s increasingly potent youth academy. His first season in the Dutch top flight saw him go out on loan at the Rotterdam side's feeder club Excelsior.
Ironically in August 2010, the youngster made his Excelsior debut by helping to beat his parent club 3 – 2 in the Rotterdam derby – although it must be noted that there is no real animosity between the clubs.
Clasie went on to make 33 league appearances for Excelsior that season and also made it on to the national teams U21 squad.
Achievements
A fan favourite at Feyenoord’s De Kuip Stadium, Clasie was quickly fast-tracked into the Rotterdam giants’ first team the following season and remains a regular.
Labelled the ‘Dutch Xavi’ by the press and fans, he has also received senior international recognition for the Dutch national side. Clasie was on the standby list for Euro 2012 but after the nation’s failure at the tournament, he is one of a host of young stars that have been awarded with caps under new boss Louis Van Gaal. He now has three caps and is highly likely to be involved during the Oranje’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, possibly even in the starting XI.
Attributes
Standing at just 1m69, there were doubts about Clasie’s strength and physique at the heart of midfield. But like his hero Xavi and the likes of Paul Scholes and Andres Iniesta, he has bypassed that issue with his excellent movement, touch and positioning, as well as his pinpoint passing.
But his creativity is also allied to defensive tenacity and he has shown no fear when going into tackles.
Potential
Perhaps a few years ago, it could be argued that Clasie was too small to make it to the very top. But with Barcelona and Spain having shown that there is a place for pint-sized midfield schemers, the ‘Dutch Xavi’ has considerable potential.
He has been linked to Tottenham in the past, but he may be wise to shun the Premier League and remain in the Eredivisie for a few more seasons as other Feyenoord youngsters like striker Luc Castaignos made moves abroad too early in their careers.
