Feyenoord Eredivisie 2025-2026 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

Feyenoord’s 2024/25 campaign was certainly interesting across all fronts. The Rotterdam club put up with Brian Priske’s relative mediocrity until February, before the Champions League triumph under interim Pascal Bosschaart arrived as a brilliant feat in the coach’s intermittent career ahead of eventual defeat to Inter. Bosschaart’s 12-day reign ended with Robin van Persie’s move from Heerenveen, and now, the Rotterdam-Zuid side enter their first full season under their beloved former player.

Third-placed Feyenoord were just outside the tussle for the title between PSV and Ajax last season. This term, however, they will be hopeful of competing with the other two sides from the Netherlands’ ‘Big Three’, having invested heavily this summer after the key departures of Quilindschy Hartman, Antoni Milambo, Dávid Hancko, and Igor Paixão.

Still not hinting at slowing down at the time of writing, the Rotterdammers have dwarfed their total 2024-25 spend (€20.2 million) by already totting up a transfer bill of €50.5 million over eight signings. On the other hand, €97.5 million worth of talent has left the club.

Transfers in: Sem Steijn (FC Twente), Liam Bossin (FC Dordrecht), Luciano Valente (FC Groningen), Gaoussou Diarra (İstanbulspor), Gonçalo Borges (FC Porto), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (KAA Gent), Casper Tengstedt (S.L. Benfica), Jordan Bos (Westerlo).

Transfers out: Mimeirhel Benita (Heracles Almelo), Thomas van den Belt (FC Twente), Ilias Sebaoui (STVV), Marcos López (FC Copenhagen), Quilindschy Hartman (Burnley), Mikki van Sas (Wycombe Wanderers), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino), Antoni Milambo (Brentford), Dávid Hancko (Atlético Madrid), Igor Paixão (Olympique de Marseille).

Key player: Sem Steijn

Sem Steijn arrives with some pretty big expectations on his shoulders. The offensive midfielder displayed ridiculous form last season for FC Twente and was the out-and-out Eredivisie top scorer. Bettering the previous campaign’s 17 goals, he notched 27 and sat comfortably at the top of the pile. In quite a big statement, Feyenoord’s previous star player, Igor Paixão, was 11 goals behind.

The man skilled with an eye for goal is self-assured and could be a frightening prospect under legendary goal machine Van Persie’s guidance. On his arrival, he spoke of fellow new signing Luciano Valente and any potential competition there. Unfazed, he said, “Valente and I can play together, I think. He is more of a passing player. If he passes the ball, I can score.”

Whether he’ll beat last season’s tally, we don’t know. However, with the guidance and players (both old and new) at De Kuip, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for Steijn to find the back of the net.

Young player to watch: Leo Sauer

While the offensive responsibilities have continued to shift at Feyenoord since the departures of first Santi Gimenez, and now Igor Paixão, Leo Sauer finds himself with a solid opportunity to thrive. The 19-year-old Slovakian had a great personal year away from De Kuip. Not only did he impress on loan at NAC Breda, registering seven goals and two assists, Sauer also became the youngest ever player to play for the Slovakian national team when he came off the bench against Norway in March.

Backed by league form at a smaller club and the confidence of his country, the left-winger returns to Feyenoord with the potential to make a first-team impact. Already, at the time of writing, he received an hour’s worth of game time against VfL Wolfsburg in a friendly. He should definitely be in Van Persie’s mix this season, and given the consistent opportunity, he should nail down a starting spot if he can replicate the glimmers on display in 2024-25.

Transfer window needs:

Having lost a large chunk of their previous offensive output with Igor Paixão’s French exit, Feyenoord are targeting the centre forward profile of El-Bilal Toure to add to Casper Tengstedt and Ayase Ueda’s credentials. Furthermore, along with the potential arrival of Sikou Niakhate from Braga, Van Persie is exploring the potential of further centre-back reinforcement. Anel Ahmedhodžić has been named as a potential Gernot Trauner replacement as the Austrian reaches the autumn of his career.

So far, considering their outgoings, Feyenoord have been replacing their departures and then going a bit beyond. This is in order to compete for the title, but also the cup and continental competitions, of which Feyenoord face Fenerbahce this week.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield