Fernandez, from Barca via Donetsk to Feyenoord

July 31st, 2009 | by: Jan |

Dani Fernandez can’t even imagine winning in De Kuip against Feyenoord with NEC anymore.

Coming Sunday, Feyenoord opens the competition at home against Mario Been and Fernandez’ former club NEC. The right back: “I want to win every game.”

The 26 year old tells a a good story. This time about his first weeks in Rotterdam. “There is so much talent and skill at this club, it’s just amazing. I knew Feyenoord had experience, with Makaay, Tomasson and Van Bronckhorst, but the young guns are just mindblowing,” the Spaniard swoons.

“Leroy Fer!”… Fernandez’ face gives his sincere awe away. “What a player. Like Wijnaldum, Biseswar… Listen, I played in Barcelona with Iniesta, Xavi and Messi. Quite some names, but the players I train with here have tremendous potential as well. We have a fantastic mix!”.

Which is why Fernandez won’t settle for less than a big prize. That winner mentality is the result of 14 years bleugrana in his veins. “I went through the whole youth system at Barca. I was even part of the first squad in Camp Nou but I simply didn’t make the cut. The pressure at Barcelona is tremendous. You simply have to win everything, you need to be the best every day. If you’re not the best, you gotta go.”

Every season, Dani survived the harsh selection process, even if his development went literally backwards. “I started as a winger, than I played midfield, I even played center back and ended as right back,” he laughs. “And the next step for me was the stands, hahaha….”.

“But seriously, right back is my position. I realized that at Barca. In Spain, most teams play 4-4-2 and as a back I was able to commit myself in the attack. Which is exactly how I played at NEC. I did have to take care of my man, but whenever I could go, I went.”

Been saved him from Metallurg Donetsk, being tipped off by former Feyenoord youth coach Henk van Stee. In the Ukraine, the paycheck was good, but life wasn’t.

“It was the wrong choice. My wife and I struggled in Donetsk. I was so happy I could move to NEC. Mario Been is by far the most important coach I ever had.”

Still, his time in the Ukraine made him better. “I gained strength there. I learned a lot. At Barca, you only think about attacking and scoring goals. In the Ukraine, I became a better defender.”

So at last, Feyenoord found a proper replacement for Brett Emerton. “It’s not easy being a right back in Holland. You almost always have to deal with a left winger, who’s mostly fast, tricked and prepared for the counter attack.”

This season, Fernandez shook off his two main problems: Diego Biseswar and Sekou Cisse. “They were the toughest opponents by far. Are they better than Suarez? For sure! I always quarreled with Luis, he always yells Spanish cursewords but he never impressed me. He’s a nice bloke, but on the pitch he’s a prick, haha… We did win twice against Feyenoord last season, but Biseswar played tremendous. And Cisse scored twice aganst me. I’m happy they’re my team mates now. I’m sorry for the other right backs, but Feyenoord has the best left wingers.”

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Comments

By Alex | July 31st, 2009 at 6:08 am

If he’s really being honoust about Fer and co. Oranje might just be on the verge of longterm world domination finally !

Posted from Netherlands

By OranjeRules | July 31st, 2009 at 8:58 am

Oranje have many young players with unlimited potential, a partial list would include: Drenthe, van der Wiel, Vlaar, Zuiverloon, Donk, Velthuizen, Castagois, Fer, Wijnaldum, van Wolfwinkle, Biseswar, Afellay, Beerens, Amrabat, Mulder, Pieters, Siem de Jong, Emnes, Elia, Sarpong, Marcellis, Maduro, Sno, Bruins, Aisatti, Donald, Barazite, de Guzman, Brama, Babel and Emanuelson.

If half these guys develop to their full potential then Oranje Voetbal looks solid for the next 10 – 12 years.

By Miguel Rosado | July 31st, 2009 at 10:06 am

Stekelenburg
Velthuizen
Vorm

Braafheid
Gio
Heitinga
Marcellis
Mathijsen
Ooijer
Van der Wiel

Afellay
Bommel
Engelaar
Nigel
Mendes
Schaars
Sneijder
Vaart
De Zeeuw

Babel
Elia
Huntelaar
Kuyt
Robben
V. Persie

By Alex | July 31st, 2009 at 1:20 pm

I’m actually surprsed that Babel is doing so well in pre-season, and Braafheid is also giving solid performances in the Audi cup.

Posted from Netherlands

By Michel-Olivier | July 31st, 2009 at 2:44 pm

fer deserved a call not engelaar

Posted from United States

By Miguel Rosado | July 31st, 2009 at 5:49 pm

I liked Braafheid in Bayern’s games. He’ll be a regular throughout the whole season so Gio better watch out.

By Felipe | July 31st, 2009 at 5:54 pm

And the Eredivisie started without goals.

0-0 in Heerenveen vs Roda JC.

Hope for a better weekend.

Posted from Brazil

By Felix | July 31st, 2009 at 6:35 pm

Hi guys, do you know where to watch eredivisie matches live streaming? Thanks….

By stephen | July 31st, 2009 at 7:16 pm

Felix, try ESPN360.com. They are live-streaming Ajax v Gronigen and PSV v VVV Venlo Sunday morning.

By Carlos | August 1st, 2009 at 1:16 am

hi felix – P2P has it too but my best advice is to google ‘live streaming football” and see what comes up in your area.

Posted from Singapore

By finnster01 | August 1st, 2009 at 1:40 am

Just wanted to express my sadness to read today that Sir Bobby Robson has passed away.

Always a figther, he fought cancer for many years, and eventually he succombed to the terrible disease in the end.

Sir Bobby, You were a true Gentleman, a football legend on a global basis, and may you rest in peace.

Respect.

By Tiju | August 1st, 2009 at 2:44 am

I join with you finn…….here is good link about SIR Bobby Robson
http://www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league/news/detail/item300859/Sir-Bobby:-Knight,-Gentleman,-Visionary/

Posted from India

By Tiju | August 1st, 2009 at 2:57 am

If i was in the place of Arsene Wenger i will sell fabergas to real for a huge sum and i will ask them for Roban+znijder+Money for fabergas and with that money i will catch Patric veira also and i will give the captain armband to him also.Then i will go for Lescott/Hangeland or other diffenders.I am 100 perscent sure with talented yougsters and these players i will conquer BPL……………..How funny it is????????

Posted from India

By Jan | August 1st, 2009 at 4:13 am

Tiju, now you’re talking!!!

@Finn, I’ll post a beautiful remembering-post on Sir Bobby soon

By Felix | August 1st, 2009 at 4:49 am

@Stephen and @Carlos…. Thank guys…

By ferenc | August 1st, 2009 at 11:20 am

tiju: nice idea,but… cesc is a catalan and he’ll never play for madrid. he’ll stay at arsenal 2-3 more years – one day h’ll replace xavi.

milan might sell pirlo to chelsea,it seems highely possible. italian newspapers say that in this case milan would buy sneijder (with the possible xavi alonso deal wesley should search for a club). milan reconsider huntelaar as well.
another news from milan: inter consider to buy vdv (for 5million) because hleb went to stuttgart and they need a creative attacking midfielder.
i would be happy if these deals went through.

Posted from Hungary