Feyenoord youngster happily backed by Van Persie: “He has a lot of confidence in me” | OneFootball

Givairo Read is looking to continue the path he trailblazed last season to keep his spot in Feyenoord’s first team. The 19-year-old right-back has been determined to keep up his impressive ascent, and believes that Robin van Persie’s 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 Feyenoord’s third captain back in Rotterdam. “That’s 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,” 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. “First it was my hamstring, then my knee. It wasn’t a good start. Maybe I started too early after the holidays. I finally feel fit again.”

Read hasn’t seen much action during Feyenoord’s 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.

“Of course, coach Michael Reiziger wants me to be there. He’s told me so, but this time it didn’t work out because of my injury. Hopefully, I’ll be back next season.”

Speaking on the Netherlands’ senior set-up, Read continued, “Of course, I’m hoping to make the Dutch national team, but I’m taking things slowly. First, I’m focusing on the Dutch U21s. We have to reach the European Championship.”

As ESPN explain, Read’s rising profile hasn’t gone unnoticed further afield in Europe. The ambitious newly-promoted Ligue 1 outfit Paris FC reportedly offered around €15 million for him. However, Read wants to stay at Feyenoord. It’s fair to suggest that the feeling is mutual. “There’s been nothing concrete. They did make an offer, but I never had any intention of leaving Feyenoord. I just want to stay here.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield