Givairo Read is looking to continue the path he trailblazed last season to keep his spot in Feyenoordโs first team. The 19-year-old right-back has been determined to keep up his impressive ascent, and believes that Robin van Persieโs belief in him has played a large part.
This summer, he was a part of the Dutch team that won the U19 European Championship, and was also appointed Feyenoordโs third captain back in Rotterdam. โThatโs right, the manager has also told me he has a lot of confidence in me. I feel honoured to be the third captain. It gives me a lot of confidence; I dare to take more risks,โ said Read.
Due to the packed schedule and heavy workload, Read has, admittedly, had a chaotic start to the new season. Partly due to injuries, the preseason preparations were far from ideal. โFirst it was my hamstring, then my knee. It wasnโt a good start. Maybe I started too early after the holidays. I finally feel fit again.โ
Read hasnโt seen much action during Feyenoordโs successful start to the season and was subsequently not selected for the Jong Oranje squad during the last international break, which has begun a new qualifying cycle.
โOf course, coach Michael Reiziger wants me to be there. Heโs told me so, but this time it didnโt work out because of my injury. Hopefully, Iโll be back next season.โ
Speaking on the Netherlandsโ senior set-up, Read continued, โOf course, Iโm hoping to make the Dutch national team, but Iโm taking things slowly. First, Iโm focusing on the Dutch U21s. We have to reach the European Championship.โ
As ESPN explain, Readโs rising profile hasnโt gone unnoticed further afield in Europe. The ambitious newly-promoted Ligue 1 outfit Paris FC reportedly offered around โฌ15 million for him. However, Read wants to stay at Feyenoord. Itโs fair to suggest that the feeling is mutual. โThereโs been nothing concrete. They did make an offer, but I never had any intention of leaving Feyenoord. I just want to stay here.โ
GBeNeFNย |ย Max Bradfield
