By Alex Roberts
Nepotism in soccer isn’t fairly so simple as it’s in say, finance or actual property, because of the reality it takes precise talent. But for a lot of, the luxurious lifetime of being the kid of a footballer doesn’t essentially instill the work ethic wanted to succeed.
It’s not a very new phenomenon, Ronald Koeman, Daley Blind, and Steven Berghuis all had fathers that had been skilled footballers. It simply doesn’t occur wherever else practically as a lot as is does within the Netherlands.
The Home of Kluivert, arguably probably the most profitable Dutch footballing dynasty, lately loved a outstanding spell. All 4 of Patrick Kluivert’s sons are footballers, and on October 2, three of them discovered the again of the web on three consecutive days.
First there was Shane Kluivert, who scored the equaliser in Barcelona Beneath-19’s 2-1 UEFA Youth League win over PSG. Then got here Ruben Kluivert, the one defensive Kluivert, who bagged his first purpose for brand new membership Lyon of their 2-0 Europa League victory over RB Salzburg.
Lastly, there was Justin Kluivert, probably the most well-known of the Kluivert kids. He capped a high quality efficiency for high-flying Bournemouth with a well-placed long-range effort to present his facet the lead towards Fulham.
In the summertime of 2010, a star-studded Dutch facet performed their strategy to the World Cup last. Though they in the end fell on the last hurdle, shedding 1-0 to Spain, Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Rafael van der Vaart, Mark van Bommel, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar all etched their names into their nation’s footballing historical past.
Now, 15 years later, their youngsters will probably be hoping to go one step additional, though they actually have some huge boots to fill.
Maybe the furthest alongside of their improvement is Ruben van Bommel, son of Dutch hardman Mark. Not like his defender previous man, Ruben is a left winger, who realized his commerce at AZ Alkmaar, breaking into the primary group in 2023 and happening to attain 17 objectives and supply six assists in his 73 video games for the membership.
This summer season, champions PSV got here knocking, and Van Bommel Jr. joined for a reported charge of €16 million. Standing at 6’4”, the 21-year-old has completely no proper being as technically gifted as he’s, utilizing his fast tempo to beat his man to burst into the opposition field.
He’s already making waves at PSV, scoring 4 objectives in his eight video games throughout all competitions (three within the league). Sadly, after selecting up a severe knee harm within the 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Ajax, it appears like he’ll be out for the remainder of the season.
“The second it occurred, I instantly sensed that one thing was fallacious,” Van Bommel mentioned on the membership web site. “It is a vital setback, as I used to be extremely motivated to make this an unforgettable season with PSV. Nevertheless, I’m rapidly adjusting my mindset. I’ll do all the pieces I can to return to the pitch in the very best situation, and within the meantime, I’ll proceed to assist the group from the sidelines.”
Of all of the second-generation stars, maybe the best hopes are pinned on Shaqueel van Persie, son of all-time Oranje prime scorer Robin van Persie. Shaqueel got here by way of Feyenoord’s academy, similar to daddy dearest, who now occurs to be first group supervisor.
The previous Arsenal and Man United gun man is but to present Shaqueel his skilled debut, largely as a result of they at the moment have Eredivisie prime scorer Ayase Ueda up prime banging them in for enjoyable with eight objectives in his eight video games.
He actually has his dad’s eye for purpose. Blessed with fast ft, Shaqueel has been a nuisance at youth degree, scoring 30 objectives in his 53 video games for Feyenoord’s varied ranks. Funnily sufficient he’s solely supplied a single help, so he clearly doesn’t look after a lot else than discovering the web.
Rafael van der Vaart could genuinely be one of the vital underrated gamers of his era, his son Damian, will probably be hoping he could make up for that. Like Rafael did, the 19-year-old is taking part in for Ajax’s well-known academy.
Whereas Rafael was a quantity ten, Damian is a bit more defensive minded, working primarily as a six, though he does show the identical consolation in possession that outlined his father’s recreation.
Born in Madrid when his father Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was at Actual, 16-year-old Sebastian left Vitesse this summer season with the Dutch’s membership future nonetheless very a lot within the air, becoming a member of PSV’s academy for a good €200k. A striker similar to his father; he must be learning one of the vital medical ahead the Netherlands has ever produced.
19-year-old Jessey Sneijder signed his first skilled contract with FC Utrecht, the membership his father Wesley supported, regardless of the actual fact he by no means performed for them, final season. He’s since educated with the primary group on a number of events, taking part in within the quantity ten position very like his dad. He’s understood to be fairly the freekick specialist.
Lastly, the “cut-in king” Arjen Robben has two sons within the academy of his former membership, FC Groningen. The eldest, 16-year-old Luka, is starting to point out glimpses of that fearless, old-school winger model — the type who likes to tackle defenders and trigger chaos down the flank. Sound acquainted?
There’s something deeply romantic about these younger males eager to comply with within the footsteps of their fathers, and for these of us who grew up watching such a proficient era of Dutch gamers, if presents a comforting sense of familiarity.
It’s truthful to say the Netherlands haven’t been fairly the identical since these daddies retired, maybe their sons may help carry them again to the centre stage.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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