Van Persie speaks about building the new Feyenoord and discusses Steijn and Timber | OneFootball

Robin van Persie is already building the new Feyenoord. The coach gave an insight into that process at the press conference in the run-up to his side’s Eredivisie match against PEC Zwolle. He also talked about Sem Steijn, Quinten Timber and the transfer market.

Steijn and Timber

One of the main questions to Van Persie regarded Sem Steijn. Did Feyenoord already have a transfer agreement with the player? The manager spoke openly about the intention to buy the attacking midfielder from FC Twente. “Well, when it is (done), you will hear from me, of course. It is not that far yet, Sem is another player from FC Twente. Also a good player. We will see how this develops.”

Quinten Timber was the next topic of conversation as the captain may extend his contract at De Kuip. ‘”If it were up to me, now I speak for myself, then I hope he stays. And also extends. But that requires multiple parties. If you ask me now: I would like it very much.”

Transfer market talk

“We are in a privileged position that we do not have to sell’, Van Persie also said, the day before the meeting with PEC. “That is the merit of Arne Slot and Dennis te Kloese. And of others who have done a good job. But we are realistic about it”, Van Persie stated. He also does not rule out a possible exodus. “I think we are taking every scenario into account.”

“There is a chance that a number of players will leave”, Van Persie agreed. “We are not closing our eyes to that. We are very busy dealing with that properly. It is also a bit of our place in European football, that there comes a time when you sell good players. Some have been doing fantastically for years, then a transfer can be a logical step. For me, it is not, of course, but it can happen. And then we have to be ready.”

Van Persie himself has an important say in Feyenoord’s strategy on the market. “We work together on that: the technical staff and management. We discuss a great many possible options. That happens in a very open way, in which everyone gives their opinion from their role. Collaboration is central to that. I also propose names. We take a broad approach: on physical data, what someone’s character is like, we have a tool for that. That goes further than collaboration.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield