Van Persie chooses Bijlow as Feyenoord’s first-choice goalkeeper | OneFootball

Robin van Persie has confirmed that Feyenoord will start the new season with Justin Bijlow (27) as the first-choice goalkeeper. The manager explained his choice at the start of their pre-season preparations in Rotterdam-Zuid.

Timon Wellenreuther (29) is expected to stay on the bench, and Van Persie believes that it’s worth staying to fight for his place. “It was a luxury choice that was difficult, perhaps even more difficult than choosing between three left-backs.”

“Wellenreuther was disappointed, but he doesn’t have to leave, in my opinion. I still think he’s a good keeper.”

Van Persie became manager at Feyenoord in February of this year and later announced that he would make a choice between Bijlow and Wellenreuther soon in the summer.

“I’m not waiting until the preparation starts to create clarity,” he said at the time. “That’s normal – if you look at their status. These are players who deserve this, that clarity. It’s important to say who my number one is.”

Feyenoord have already seen a goalkeeper leave this summer in Mikki van Sas’ move to Wycombe Wanderers. This means that the selection’s goalkeepers, in addition to Bijlow and Wellenreuther, now consist of Plamen Andreev and Liam Bossin.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield