Feyenoord’s Clasie has arrived and he’s here to stay

By Mohamed Moallim

There was one minute left in extra time and Ronald Koeman started to prepare for the inevitable. He found what he was looking for, a notepad and pen, after collecting his thoughts he jotted down numbers one through five. Next to number one ‘Lex’ was written, followed by a space, then letters I and M, before he could finish the surname, a loud roar erupted, looking up, Koeman saw Lex Immers – the very person that was going to take the penalty – wheel away in celebration, Feyenoord left it very late.

In a single minute every emotion imaginable was exhausted. They say the KNVB Beker is often void of drama well the Goffertstadion played host to one. It was cruel on NEC, but satisfying for Feyenoord, who needed that win. A few days earlier they were second best to a PSV side many had down on the verge of a crisis. Yes, even this early.

It goes to show how much football has changed, it’s about the here and now, no patience and nothing is kept in perspective anymore. A one game losing streak, to paraphrase Roy Keane, is a crisis. Their success last season, finishing runners-up, has meant anything less won’t do. The expectation from the fans was the club would push on instead they’ve started their campaign slowly. The mindset of their support has reverted to a previous state one Koeman encourages and is doing everything to satisfy.

The club from Rotterdam is a different one from years gone by, but they are now – like before – players in the Eredivisie. Their recent successes, which is few and far between, been built on their esteemed youth academy based in Varkenoord, with its seemingly endless production line. The game against Excelsior – city rivals – last April featured 18 academy graduates, the bulk in red and white. On the scoresheet – getting their second in a 3-0 win – is probably their current crowning jewel: Jordy Clasie.

His goal that day was atypical, but demonstrated his sheer ability, Kelvin Leerdam, after reaching the byline, cut the ball inside, it reached Clasie – timing his run well – who struck ferociously with his left foot. Prior and after the 20-year-old (since turned 21) from Haarlem, west of Amsterdam, went about his job effortlessly controlling the game. He has the innate ability to find space others don’t see, a typical Dutch midfielder of a bygone era; Willem van Hanegem – who played a pivotal role early in his career by telling him to “go and enjoy” – compared him to another club great Wim Jansen. “A similar player,” he enthused. “I mean someone who has so much knowledge and technique.”

Clasie was an unused sub in the cup. Feyenoord could have done with his serene presence especially once the game became frenzied but Koeman wasn’t tempted. He was looking ahead. He returned for the league game against NEC, this time at De Kuip, the difference was stark. He brought control, composure and order, every touch reduced the game to the speed he wants it played at.

The outcome was the same, a Feyenoord victory, albeit more comfortable one. Heading into the fixture their ‘for column read ‘six’, in ninety minutes it nearly doubled, as they ran out 5-1 winners. Immers again basked in the spotlight, bagging a hat-trick. Clasie – who assisted his third – wasn’t far behind.

He’s now the conductor of this rejuvenated side. His spatial awareness complements his technique, which Van Hanegem touched upon. He rarely gives the ball away, proving to also be effective even in the tightest of spaces. A master of the instep, every move starts before the ball is touched, courtesy of his sharp brain, 180-degree vision and impeccable foresight. Once in possession, he distributes efficiently whether short, long or a defence splitting pass. His growing influence saw Koeman name him vice-captain to Stefan de Vrij at the start of this season. He was also given the number six shirt confirmation of his newfound stature.

His style – keeping possession, circulating the ball, ingenuity and exemplary passing – one of the more elegant in the Eredivisie earned him the nickname ‘Xavi of de Kuip’. It’s more than a moniker. The Spaniard is a role model.

“I want to be like him,” Clasie told Voetbal International earlier in the year. “Xavi is unplayable in everything he does.” His height, which he shares, more than anything showed him “you’re never too small to become world class.” Andrés Iniesta, Paul Scholes, Wesley Sneijder and Cesc Fàbregas have also been cited as references. “They obviously play at a much higher level, but nonetheless examples.”

Studying is important for any footballer, by watching Barça’s midfield – how certain individuals “read the game” – Clasie believes he can improve. Feyenoord are helping him, not quite near their level, but Koeman has laid down a similar philosophy and environment at the club. It’s geared to a high level possession game one Clasie has thrived under, floating in front of the defence, orchestrating every attack. Tactically versed, reads the game as good as anyone in the Eredivisie. “You have to be smart by positioning yourself correctly. When I intercept, it’s because I know where the ball was going.”

Not solely a give-and-go type, when required, carries the ball from midfield. His dribbling is one aspect of his game that is constantly improving. His excellence in switching play led to Feyenoord having a brief advantage over Dynamo Kyiv in their unsuccessful Champions League qualifier.

His talent hasn’t gone unnoticed outside the kingdom, there were even rumours Pep Guardiola, before leaving Barcelona, brought him up in a conversation with Koeman, former ‘Dream Team’ teammate. AC Milan is keeping tabs according to reports. His future may be in Spain or Italy, where his technical attributes would be prominently displayed, but for now his focus and education remains in Rotterdam. “I want to make a name for myself at Feyenoord. Help the club win things again. I’m under contract until 2015, so any move abroad is much further down the line as far I’m concerned.” He has a great tutor in Koeman who oversaw the emergence of the Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart generation during his managerial period at Ajax.

Though not a Rotterdammer he feels like one. “I’ve grown up in Rotterdam.” The summer of 2000, as a nine-year-old, he would join his childhood club. Ajax called but Feyenoord gave him a better feeling. “My aim was to become a professional here, to regularly play in front of full-houses at De Kuip.” Koeman describes him as “Feyenoord-crazy” whilst his technical attributes is glowingly appreciated, it’s the other side, his gutsy, heart on sleeve approach that supporters have come to admire. “I love to tackle and work for the team too. I need that kind of game.”

Clasie’s ascent has been gradual. There were many who believed he wouldn’t make it as a professional. "He was deemed too small,” van Hanegem said. “He’s been fortunate there are exceptional small players around,” before going on to add “brains and technique in football, physicality for weightlifters.” That obstacle was overcome due to some outside the box thinking.

Aged 16 he’d often fade in the last 15 minutes. Raymond Verheijen, then exercise physiologist at Feyenoord, consulted his youth team coaches Cor Adriaanse and Jan Gösgens about him undertaking a different program from the rest. In short Clasie was to exercise less. “With Jordy all conditions were in place to being stretched to his limits as a kid”, Verheijen said. “He was of small stature and travelled very early in the morning from Haarlem to Rotterdam. That costs a lot of force. Cramp is a logical signal from the body that it cannot cope with the full load. By letting him exercise literally half less Jordy kept enough energy to execute what he does best.”

From that moment in almost every match, a settled protocol was established. Clasie would be substituted on purpose about twenty minutes before the final whistle, to keep him fit and fresh. Verheijen would cite Clasie as an example of how small youth footballers in the Netherlands should be dealt with. “I was not so much aware of how they were handling my exercise load,” Clasie looked back. “When you are that young you just think the coaches have the best intentions with you. I was in a batch with a lot of talent, so didn’t expect to play all the time. I hardly picked up any injuries in the B1 and A1. That will not have been a coincidence.”

It proved a success and he signed professional papers in 2009, but Feyenoord was at a crossroads, there wasn’t the stability they have now, even though their youth program – reinvigorated by Wim Jansen – was starting to become the envy of the land.

As chaos ensued at the club during the 2010/11 campaign, Clasie was being nurtured at Excelsior, Mario Been – former coach – decided to loan him out, to gain valuable match time, as well as strengthen. He quickly became one of the leading lights in Excelsior’s midfield despite his youth and lack of experience.
“I said yes, because the competition in Feyenoord’s midfield was murder,” Clasie began. “I wouldn’t have played a lot and at Excelsior I can improve myself but I wanted to return and stake my claim.” He returned a different player. Alex Pastoor, his coach at Excelsior now managing NEC, played an important role. “He is someone whom I owe a lot to, and one I’ve learned a lot from.”

It was against Excelsior he made his Feyenoord debut in August 2011. “I wasn’t taking any risk at all when I included Jordy in the first team,” Koeman stated. “He was ready in all ways. He had the ability, confidence and desire.”

His development, taking full advantage of the natural talent he’s blessed with, enthusesely greeted. Including Bert van Marwijk, who in an interview back in December 2011, had the midfielder down as a future Dutch international. Van Marwijk didn’t have the chance to call up the youngster but successor Louis van Gaal – in line with his new policy of rejuvenating Oranje – did.

“When I turned on my phone, so many messages came up,” was his reaction to being called-up for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Hungary. “From childhood you dream of this moment, so I’m proud.” His manager wasn’t surprised. “This has obviously come fast,” Koeman reacted. “But on the other hand, he plays in position that’s not very well occupied.” A valid point, with the ‘Ajax model’ returning with Van Gaal, the No6 position – one of the more important roles – is up for grabs. Nigel de Jong played there in the friendly against Belgium, but wasn’t called up as he’d recently moved to AC Milan from Manchester City.

Clasie was handed the duty against Turkey but it didn’t go quite so well. “No, I was not happy with my game,” came an honest admission. “I still had some slight nerves.” Clasie was hauled off before the hour mark. Van Gaal cited his natural game wasn’t being exuded. “He kept passing backwards.” A knee injury sustained by Leroy Fer, who replaced him in Amsterdam, meant Clasie would get a second chance against Hungary. One he took. It was a much better performance, despite giving away a penalty, a lapse of concentration, which is only proof that he still is developing, but not far away from shedding his promise tag. “He was very good,“ was captain Sneijder’s verdict. "He played his own game after much criticism. He stood strong, was fierce and won every duel."

That night in Budapest showed glimpses of a player at ease with his game. Dynamic and robust with a streak of fearlessness that every young Dutch midfielder is laced with. He finished the game alongside in Adam Maher, another highly promising talent, and one suspects it won’t be the last we see them sharing the pitch in an orange shirt.

Maher deservedly took the ‘talent of the year’ award last season. Clasie finished second to Jan Vertonghen in the player of the year vote. Algemeen Dagblad however named him as theirs. “Messi, Messi, Clasie komt eraan” Het Legioen chant. Clasie has arrived, he’s here to stay, and his continual rise is a pleasure to watch.