Feyenoord's Lutsharel Geertruida has revealed that he would love to follow in the footsteps of Arjen Robben to play in the Premier League. The Dutch defender named Chelsea as a dream club while on international duty, suggesting that the Blues were his club from an early age.
The 21-year-old defender made it all the way to the Europa Conference League final before falling to Jose Mourinho's Roma side but found himself a regular across all competitions despite knee surgery ruling him out of the start of the season.
Geertruida has featured in the centre and right-hand side of the defence and even as a defensive midfielder, not dissimilar to Reece James, though he does not pose the same threat going forwards as the Chelsea star. Perhaps he would not be an undesirable understudy when Cesar Azpilicueta leaves Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard has just over 12 months remaining on his deal after triggering an extension, but a move back to his homeland has not been ruled out.
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The Blues already have a number of their own understudies to consider in the backline, with the likes of Ethan Ampadu and Dujon Sterling returning to the club this summer. Nevertheless, the young defender has made clear to his agent that he would be interested in moving to the Premier League.
Geertruida told NOS (via Sport Witness ): "I want to play in the Premier League one day. When I was young, I saw Arjen Robben play at Chelsea in a scary team. Then I thought: I want that too! I also have a shirt of him. Chelsea was just my club, man. Just like Feyenoord from an early age
"Certainly. I just haven't had the chance to go to such a dream club yet. They have never called. My agent also knows that I am a fan of the Premier League. But Feyenoord is still my dream club," he explained.
Geertruida Geertruida came through Feyenoord's youth set-up to become a regular in 2021/21 and has notched six goals and two assists in 76 Eredivisie appearances. The youngster is currently with Netherlands' under-21 team and started in the heart of defence alongside Sven Botman, as the Oranje defeated Moldova 3-0.
His quality has not gone unnoticed by senior team boss Louis Van Gaal. The former Manchester United boss hinted a first senior cap might not be too far away.
Van Gaal said after selecting his squad: "There are many more players in the picture. For example, Lutsharel Geertruida, Sven Botman and Brian Brobbey.
"I read everywhere that I should have selected them, but I am the national coach of Dutch football. I have to make sure that the Dutch Juniors also qualify. Then I have to let those players play in the Dutch Juniors, right? Because isn't it very important for that generation that they are going to play a European Championship? Then they have the experience of a tournament.
"I did the same ten years ago when the European Championship was organized in Israel. Then all those players, Martins Indi and associates, were there. I have always chosen Dutch football, not myself. It would be much easier to invite Brobbey and Geertruida and Mitchell Bakker, for example, but no, that's not good for Dutch football."
