Feyenoord club icon Willem van Hanegem has called for the club to sign at least two or three new players during the upcoming winter transfer window to stabilize the team.
The former midfielder, speaking on the Willem & Wessel podcast, identified a new goalkeeper, a left-back, and a defensive midfielder as his primary priorities for the Rotterdam club.
The critique followed a disappointing 5-3 defeat against sc Heerenveen just before the international break, a result Van Hanegem described as “sad” in his column for the Algemeen Dagblad.
Van Hanegem emphasized that the left-back position requires immediate attention, noting that while Bart Nieuwkoop is expected to return from injury, he is still recovering. According to 1908.nl, the club legend believes a new arrival could provide cover and flexibility, as the position also requires someone capable of playing further up the pitch as a winger.
Regarding the midfield, Van Hanegem told FR12.nl that he does not want another creative playmaker, but rather a disciplined controller. “I think you can always use a good central midfielder,” he said. “And not a playmaker, but someone who just plays in the service of his teammates.”
The most pointed remarks were directed at the current goalkeeping position, occupied by Tjark Ernst. “I can say it again every time: get someone between the posts,” he told the podcast, adding that he feels the keeper often appears to shrink when diving to reach shots.
Despite his harsh assessment, Van Hanegem acknowledged the practical difficulties of finding a high-quality replacement during the mid-season window. He admitted that there are few, if any, goalkeepers currently playing in the Netherlands who would represent an immediate upgrade for Feyenoord, characterizing the current market as thin on reliable talent.
Van Hanegem pointed to recent matches, including the 3-4 victory over Telstar, as moments where “alarm bells” should have already been ringing due to changes in player behavior and a lack of tactical discipline. He observed that players like Gjivai Zechiël and Luciano Valente, who started the season strongly, have struggled to maintain their effectiveness in recent weeks.
In his search for potential reinforcements, Van Hanegem specifically mentioned Ringo Meerveld as a player who could strengthen the squad, noting that he has considered him a good player for years.
Keep reading
