Ibby Afellay: ready to make his move to the top!

Ibrahim Afellay is without a doubt The Man at PSV. He’s only 23 years old, just, but has grown out of the Eredivisie. A lucrative deal abroad is lingering. The experts on the still growing gem…

Every week, topscouts of the renowned European clubs claim a seat on the stands to witness the development of PSV’s creative midgifielder who is also remarkably prolific this season with 13 goals and counting.

The talented youngster refuses to speak about his future. “I’m playing now with PSV. We’re in the midst of things. I’m not considering anything, other than staying here for another season.”

Fred Rutten, PSV’s new coach, hopes his star will indeed stay on one more season to help build up the former champs. Afellay’s deal stops in 2011 and potential buyers will now have to fork out between 10 and 15 million euros to sign him.

Four experts on Afellay:

DWIGHT LODEWEGES, INTERIM-COACH AT PSV

“His development is spectacular. It’s as if he turned a switch and goes for it for the full 100%. He matured this season. And I can see that at training sessions. He used to hide a bit, but he doesn’t this season. He talks, he coaches, he corrects and directs. He is becoming a true leader.”

“He is a smart player too. He used to chase the ball and he wanted to do too much. Now, he’s chasing space. Which is quite something at his age. He doesn’t collect so many knocks too and he did cop a lot already. That’s his forte, he listens. He wants to learn. He doesn’t walk around like some others with that attitude of “I’m good, so I know it all”…”

“He is ready for the next step. More resistance on training, more opposition in matches. He will and can only get better. Look at Robin van Persie. Tremendous talent at Feyenoord, but he is still improving himself now. But, he does have to pick the right club and the right coach. Next year, the WC is on and he will need to play himself into the group. He can only do that by playing games.”

BERT VAN MARWIJK, COACH DUTCH TEAM

“I’ve seen him play a lot lately and he has grown. Not just as a player, but as a person. He grew physically too, became stronger. More mature. Creative players like him, with their eyes on the goal, are hard to keep in Holland. And it will help him to move abroad. The right moment is hard to say for me. That’s up to him. Players need to make their own decisions in that way, no one can advice them. Some players are ready when they’re young, others need more time. We all know the examples of players who went too early. He needs to make the right choice and he needs to make his minutes in the next season. And I don’t say this just as a fan, also as the team manager of Oranje. The potential internationals need to make sure they get rhythm and play matches. This applies to all the players of course, not just Ibby.”

TIMMY SIMONS, PSV SKIPPER

“Afellay is a tremendous player. He can do it all, and we know that for some time already. I’m not surprised with his development. He is smart and he’s tough on himself. He plays everything this season and that’s a big difference with last seasons, when he tended to sometimes take a day off.”

“I’m very keen to learn whether he’ll be here next season. I don’t interfere or talk about it with him. That’s totally up to him. I wasn’t ready at that age, so it’s different for everyone. I think PSV will be happy with the euros but at the same time, a lot of quality will walk out the door.”

ROB JANSEN, AFELLAY MANAGER

“His development didn’t surprise me at all. But, I want to put a lid on the euphoria: there’s still a long way to the European top. But that’s ok. He still has time. Most players become consistent at that level around 26 years… He’s got some time to develop even more.”

“Ibby is turning into a man, on the pitch and off. He listens, he analyzes and he is stable. I can’t say what will happen. It depends on many factors. Does the right club want him? Will the conditions be good? Only then, leaving is an option. But that’s all it is.”

“I agree with Van Marwijk that Ibby shouldn’t go to some club where he’ll be number 16 or 18. He needs to play. Only then can he develop. Money is important, I know that, but that will most certainly come. And don’t forget, he’s got a good deal with PSV now. Ibby doesn’t focus on money, but on playing and becoming better and better. If we decide that PSV is still the best environment for that goal, he’ll stay.”