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Van Hanegem fan of Afellay

March 4th, 2008 | By: Jan | 11 Comments »

Willem’s column in the AD:

Last Sunday my team FC Utrecht played PSV and I was capable of seeing Ibrahim Afellay play from my seat in the dug out. What a phenomenaplayer is that! Of course, we all knew that, but seeing him so close for 90 minutes I was impressed by his enormous progression. And he is only 21 years old.

I really admirer him. And kudos to PSV for creating the circumstances inwhich he can improve himself. People may think that’s normal but I know it’s quite a feat. And you don’t see this happen that often in Eindhoven.

I actually think Afellay belongs on Oranje’s midfield. I definitely don’t think he is a lesser player than Wesley Sneijder. Afellay defends well, can run great distances, can easily take on opponents, has great technical skills and can read the space and the game. And he scores easily too.

The only thing Sneijder has that Afellay lacks is the pure two-leggedness. Last Sunday I was really impressed. This is one great player, already. This kid deserves to shine on the EC. And with Van Basten, it can happen just like that. Our team manager loves to give young players responsibility, so who knows…

Tags: Afellay, Group C, Oranje, Sneijder, The Netherlands, Van Hanegem

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Comments

By simon | March 4th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

With a little more experience from friendleys and such, I could really see him on the Oranje midfield as well. I wouldnt mind it at least, since I’m not sure about Sneijder. He havent made a good performance since October.

I’m Lerkot by the way. Might nick Simon from time to time, it seems more practical instead of logging out.

By bobotoh | March 4th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

I think about Sneijder also. Suddenly, I never heard about him again. What happens to him? Why don’t he play regulary at Real Madrid? I think the fans of Madrid talk more about Robben than Snedijder.

Posted from Indonesia

By Miguel Rosado | March 4th, 2008 at 11:14 pm

@Bobotoh: Sneijder is injured.

I also like Afellay very much and I hope he goes to the EC. I don’t like comparing players that much but I agree with Willem, Sneijder has the two-leggedness but Afellay defends much better that Wesley.
Afellay is stronger and faster.
In my opinion Wesley should never play as the defensive midfielder because he is much better when he’s attacking.
I liked the formation Van Basten used 4-2-3-1 because you have 2 players focused on defending and 4 players attacking.
They are both great players and I hope they both go to the EC.

By bobotoh | March 5th, 2008 at 1:43 am

I agree with you all. Maybe, Afellay is more like Andrea Pirlo at Milan? Good passing, good vision, good attacking, and can defend well.

Posted from Indonesia

By Jeffreyj | March 5th, 2008 at 1:46 am

Thank you, nice post, very informative. Regards.

Posted from United States

By sphinx | March 5th, 2008 at 4:38 am

how is he in defensive role?

Posted from Australia

By goose | March 5th, 2008 at 5:55 am

Dont like Affelay (as a human beeing) very arrogant…but great player….dont agree that he is as good as Sneijder, Sneijder already has proven himself in big games…Affelay hasnt at all…. guess we have to see how he keeps ‘growing’

dont know how he is on his defensive role(s), ill watch him next time i see Psv play

btw; great to see Arsenal beat the old man from Milan

Posted from Netherlands

By Marc | March 5th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

if affelay is infact really good at defending and has a great vision… maybe he can fit in one of the spots for holding midfielders?

Posted from Switzerland

By Felix | March 6th, 2008 at 8:04 am

I think afellay, sneijder, van der vaart will be suit for 4-2-3-1 formation. They will be attacking midfielders.

Posted from Indonesia

By Caleb | March 6th, 2008 at 8:29 am

I see Afellay coming on as a second half super-sub type role. He is fast and can score and he did it well in the Croatia game. I have to agree with Goose about Sneijder already having performed in big games.

Posted from Japan