Feyenoord is displaying a renewed sense of attacking energy and positive momentum in the Eredivisie, according to club icon Willem van Hanegem. In an appearance on the podcast Willem & Wessel, the former Dutch international highlighted the team’s vibrant playing style and singled out Spanish striker Nacho Ferri as a standout performer whose initial price tag now looks like a bargain.
Speaking on the podcast, Van Hanegem pointed out that Feyenoord is radiating far more joy on the pitch compared to the previous campaign, resulting in a much more entertaining brand of football for the club’s faithful.
Evaluating Nacho Ferri and the Nine Million Euro Fee
Much of the early season narrative surrounding Feyenoord’s attacking recruitment focused on the investment made in Nacho Ferri. The club brought in the Spanish center-forward for a reported fee of 9 million euros, which drew some skepticism from analysts and fans when the deal was first struck.
Van Hanegem dismissed those initial concerns entirely after watching the striker’s recent outings. During Feyenoord’s match against FC Utrecht, Ferri netted the crucial second goal in a 2-0 victory and created enough chances to have added several more to his tally. According to the club icon, watching the forward’s current output makes the 9 million euro transfer fee look entirely reasonable, describing him as a potential bargain for the Stadion Feyenoord outfit.
Squad Form: Hartman, Valente, and Hadj-Moussa Earn Praise
Ferri is not the only player catching the eye of the former Feyenoord maestro. Left-back Quilindschy Hartman received strong backing as he continues working his way back to his peak competitive form, showing the defensive solidity and attacking overlap that previously made him a fixture in the side.
In midfield, Luciano Valente also earned high marks for his tidy distribution and engine room presence. Van Hanegem noted that while the young midfielder is drawing admiring glances, he should exercise patience regarding a potential future call-up to the Netherlands national team.
Meanwhile, winger Anis Hadj-Moussa delivered a match-winning display by scoring twice against FC Utrecht. Van Hanegem praised the winger’s technical skills and his willingness to track back and put in defensive work. However, the analyst added a word of caution, stating that Hadj-Moussa must cut out unnecessary moments of frustration if he wants to make the definitive leap to elite status.
Additional squad members are also stepping up their physical output. Midfielder Oussama Targhalline is covering more ground, timing his runs better, and involving himself deeper in the build-up phase, marking a clear upward trajectory in his performances.
Next Steps for Feyenoord
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