Player Focus: Kongolo & Van Beek Pairing Providing Solid Feyenoord Foundations

On a visit to De Kuip, one of Europe's grandest stadiums, there's no escaping one particular banner. Four simple words: "Kein geloel, fußball spielen", which is loosely translate as 'forget the crap, just play football'. Uttered by their legendary manager Ernst Happel, it neatly sums up the culture of Feyenoord. At the very least, it is what supporters have come to expect of those wearing their colours.
 
Two such individuals who 'get it' are central defenders Sven van Beek and Terence Kongolo, their steady progression has captured the public imagination as well as ensuring a bright future.
 
Although this season will not end with silverware, they are the shining lights emanating from Rotterdam. Another rebuilding program is expected this summer – and that includes hiring a new manager – however fans are calm in the knowledge that major surgery will not be required. Stability, as it has been proven time again, is the key to long-term success. Van Beek and Kongolo, who have come off the never-ending conveyor belt of talent at Varkenoord - in their early 20s - can be the foundation upon which Feyenoord is built.
 
To get where they are now has been a gradual process, but it was inevitable given the club’s methodology – a policy shared by many clubs across the land that has ultimately safeguarded the national team. There's no roadblock placed in front of their very own, cream generally rises to the top.
 
Feyenoord, in particular, are averaging seven academy graduates in their starting line-up. The current poster boy is undoubtedly Jordy Clasie, but Van Beek and Kongolo, growing in stature, are not far behind, with the former earmarked as a future captain.

Ronald Koeman, who oversaw their professional debuts, saw something special in them and even though he's now a thousand miles away they are starting to repay that faith. He couldn't be more proud, describing Van Beek as a "great talent" who "has a number of attributes that are not so common in Dutch defenders", and calling Kongolo "the last of a dying breed", adding he's "a real defender, headstrong, with great offensive skills".
 
Growing up together, an organic process money can't buy, and knowing each other's strengths as well as limitations has been the cornerstone behind their telepathic understanding. With each passing game you can see their unquestionable potential. Standing in the heart of defence they've transformed into pillars. It comes back to education, technique coupled with knowledge has long been a winning formula, and learning from the best – in this case Koeman – can only be invaluable. Fred Rutten, who succeeded Koeman last summer and will leave the club in May, has greatly profited.
 
He couldn't have asked for a better duo (currently the club’s highest rated players on WhoScored.com) to take over from the departing Stefan de Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi. They have essentially reduced both Joris Mathijsen – who played in the 2010 World Cup final – and Khalid Boulahrouz (when called upon is likely to be deployed outside of his favourite position) to an afterthought.
 
However, with that being said, the guidance and knowledge passed down from their senior teammates’ has only enriched the youngsters. Their partnership – a classic right-foot, left-foot combination – is the pivot behind Feyenoord's rear-guard (third best Eredivisie defence – conceding less than a goal per game).
 
The word 'defending' is often seen as a dirty word in the Netherlands, but that is not surprising when the underlying coaching philosophy is attack-oriented. It’s a doctrine that demands the defenders to have the "best ball-handling skills" in order to "bring you out of trouble and set up the forwards", as stated by Pep Guardiola. However, these two embrace the art of defending as well as retaining the national identity of being capable with the ball.

Neither passes for the sake of it, there's a purpose behind it, and having centre-backs proficient in ball circulation as well as playing long eases the pressure applied on their midfielders by the opposition. Van Beek, initially a right-back, averages more passes (68.1) per game than any of his teammates. Kongolo is not far behind (65.5). The more strategic of the two – organising Feyenoord's backline with a 'take no prisoner' mentality – he leads in interceptions (2.2) and blocks (0.5) per game, whereas Van Beek, using his good positional sense, has the most clearances (198).
 
Despite coming from different backgrounds with opposing personalities there is a strong camaraderie on (and off) the pitch that the fans have come to appreciate. Working together and encouraging one another is a sure-fire way to start realising their one common ambition, to be the absolute best. In the 19 games played alongside each other – as a textbook example of a traditional 'number three-number four' tandem – they've conceded 14 goals and kept 10 clean-sheets.
 
Barring a collapse of Devon Loch proportions there's no title race. PSV are effectively the champions elect so the focus at the top is on the race for second, which guarantees participation in next season's Champions League qualification round, but even that could soon be a foregone conclusion. Nothing less than wins will do at the business end of the season. With Feyenoord accumulating 10 points from the last 18 available, they couldn't have picked a worse time for the wheels to fall off, even though the battle isn't mathematically over (the gap to Ajax is eight points), the chances are Feyenoord will come up just short.
 
However it shouldn't diminish the performance of Van Beek and Kongolo, either one is a contender for 'Dutch Football Talent of the Year'. Throwing them collectively into the deep was a gamble but not only did it succeed, it has made them stronger and, more importantly, proved they individually are made of the right stuff.

Have you been more impressed with Van Beek or Kongolo for Feyenoord this season? Let us know in the comments below