Coming through the youth academy of a major club and earning a starting position is a significant challenge.
Lutsharel Geertruida has already surpassed that. Not only did he rise through the ranks of Feyenoord’s famed academy, but he also eventually captained the Eredivisie giants.
Geertruida broke into Feyenoord’s senior team during the 2019/2020 season, but only emerged as a key player once manager Arne Slot took over in the 2021/22 season.
Since then, he has made 126 appearances across all competitions, marking a period of unprecedented success for the club. His standout performances have even made him a starter for the Dutch national team as they head into Euro 2024.
As Slot is expected to depart for Liverpool, having players familiar with his system will give him a head start as he embarks on a new chapter at Anfield.
Geertruida was in attendance for the West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool and Tottenham’s loss to Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend, which has added to the speculation that he might follow his manager to the English top flight.
Lutsharel Geertruida Transfer Value – how much is he worth now?
According to FootballTransfer’s Player Valuation Model, Geertruida has a current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €21.8m.
The Dutchman was very close to moving to RB Leipzig last summer in what would have been a record €30m sale for his club. After another season of consistent performances it looks like a big move will be on the cards once again.
What does Geertruida bring to the table?
Geertruida is a hybrid right-back who is capable of playing across the backline and even in midfield.
The 23-year-old is versatile in every sense of the word. Over the last three seasons under Slot, he has played 78 games at right-back, 41 as a centre-back, six as a midfielder and three at left-back.
In his primary role, Geertruida is involved in creating chances from wide but you will often see him invert into midfield and receive the ball in the halfspace. He has registered the second most touches for Feyenoord this season, with a majority of them being in the middle third.
A player needs to have excellent on-ball quality to operate in these tight central spaces, and Geertruida stands out at receiving the ball under pressure and has one of the best progressive carrying numbers amongst full backs in the Eredivisie.
Geertruida receives a staggering 55 passes per 90, which highlights his influence on Feyenoord’s build up. His combination play is hard for the opposition to read and intercept and is crucial in helping his team circulate the ball up the pitch.
The Dutch international’s late runs into the box through the centre have become a standout feature of his game. His Expected Goals (xG) of 0.21 per 90 this season ranks as one of the best figures among positional peers in the league and points to his ability to regularly get into dangerous areas.
This is a big reason why he is having his most prolific season in terms of goal contributions – with six goals and four assists so far in the league.
It might seem like Geertruida is playing in a free role at times by popping up in different areas of the pitch. However, his excellent positioning and awareness ensures that his team does not get exposed in defensive transitions.
Players playing in possession-dominant teams usually do not have impressive defensive metrics, simply because they have fewer opportunities to engage in defensive actions.
While Geertruida might not contest many duels, his impressive win rate in both aerial and ground duels is a big reason why Feyenoord are able to maintain one of the best defensive records in the league.
Players from the Eredivisie have had varying degrees of success in the Premier League. Erik ten Hag brought Lisandro Martinez and Antony with him to Manchester United, but Geertruida’s potential switch to Liverpool would make a lot of sense.
This article was provided by FootballTransfers
