I first became aware of Jordy Clasie in 2011 when I was in Holland taking in a match between NAC Breda and Feyenoord. I gave the midfielder a special mention in that report for his tenacious play.

I also stated that his style reminded me of Rino Gattuso and every time I see him play those similarities quickly resurface in my head.

Now three and a bit years on, Jordy is now Feyenoord’s captain at the age of twenty-three.

His game has improved. He isn’t as raw as he was when I first saw him.

On the park he’s a warrior and always battling in the midfield engine room. Like Gattuso he gets in the faces of the opposition and chases them down or puts his foot in and wins possession. He covers a lot of ground with his tireless running; whether its tracking back with the opposing teams danger man or moving into space to receive the ball and play it on.

The midfielder is a typical Dutch ball winning central midfielder capable of both passing and tackling, he is just such a good technically sound footballer.

Against Ajax yesterday he led by example, never letting Ajax’s midfield over run him or his comrades. He also seemed to have more touches on the ball than anyone else, showing his ease at handling pressure and taking it off others in his team. He sits and marshals between his own box and the halfway line. With Ajax failing to exploit the wings, Clasie seemed to control the games tempo and stopped any real threat from gaining momentum.

Feyenoord went to Amsterdam and bossed the Dutch champions in there own backyard and it was all typified by Jordy Clasie’s performance.

In truth he doesn’t score many but alas that isn’t Jordy’s job. He’ll let others get the glory as he shores up the midfield. His job is priceless especially given the endeavour he uses to fulfil his duties.

So far the midfield general has made twenty-two appearances for the Rotterdam club and has provided a single goal and three assists. But again its his influence and his discipline in doing his job that inspire those around him that will have scouts talking.

The Eredivisie is a good market to purchase from as it’s usually affordable and has players with skill, determination and superb technical ability.

For me, clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool could do a lot better if they brought in Clasie to do all the hard-work and that would let the creative talents flourish at the Emirates or Anfield. At Man City, he could probably help their fortunes as their central midfield looks particularly vulnerable at the moment.

But would these clubs take a chance on him given his age and size? Possibly not.

If that is the case then Southampton would probably be the ideal next destination for the Dutch international.

Ronald Koeman knows the player well, having managed him at the De Kuip and handing him his Feyenoord debut. Koeman will trust him and it would make it easier for Clasie to settle in the Premier League if he was surrounded by familiar faces like Koeman, Graziano Pelle and coach Jan Kluitenberg.

His combative style could be ideal for the English game and his game could really rub up a few the wrong way. If the Saints could act quickly and snap him up this transfer window then their chances of staying in the top four would be greatly improved as his energy could revitalise the club.

Waiting until the summer could be too late for Southampton as others will keep an eye on Clasie. But a stumbling bock could be Jack Cork’s future at St Mary’s. Koeman has become frustrated with the Englishman’s stalling tactics over a new deal. If they could find a quick buyer for Cork and replace him with the Dutchman then they could be in the better position.

If Jordy does remain in Rotterdam for the remainder of this campaign then you can bet your bottom dollar that he’ll do all he can to try and gain Feyenoord a Champions League spot and that come the summer he’ll be one football’s most wanted men!

Posted on January 26th, 2015 by scott
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