Jakub Moder is talked about in the Netherlands

When Jakub Moder went to Feyenoord Rotterdam in the winter, many people wondered if it was the right address. As it turned out – unnecessarily. – In Holland, they are delighted with him – says Mickey van der Hart, goalkeeper of SC Heerenveen.

 It became clear last year that Jakub Moder would have to look for a new club. “Modziu” played little after returning from injury and in the Brighton and Hove Albion team  , he only gathered 9 minutes in the Premier League in the autumn round , and added 139 minutes in the EFL Cup and 12 minutes in the FA Cup.

In the winter , one of the biggest clubs in the Dutch Eredivisie, Feyenoord Rotterdam, came for the Pole . The “Seagulls” gave Moder to the Netherlands for a small amount of 1.5 million euros and at that time many people wondered whether the Polish representative would cope with the pressure of the stands on De Kuip and would be able to rebuild the form he presented before tearing his cruciate ligaments. Let us recall that the 26-year-old was out for 576 days and missed 93 matches for the club and the national team during that time .

However, it quickly turned out that the transfer to Feyenoord was a bull’s eye for the Lech Poznań graduate. “Modziu” made his debut in the Rotterdam team on February 2nd in a league match against Ajax Amsterdam and played 60 minutes. Since then, he has not given up his place in the starting eleven, and even after the change of coach (Pascal Bosschaart was replaced on February 23rd by the legend of Dutch football, Robin van Persie), he plays from start to finish, for 90 minutes. The Pole only missed one match – on March 1st against NEC Nijmegen.

The result of regular play? 2 goals and 3 assists at the Dutch league level, as well as a debut goal at the Champions League level in a clash with Inter Milan. The Polish media quickly delighted in the performances of the Polish representative, but his contribution to the game of Feyenoord, fighting for the vice-championship of the country, is also appreciated by the Dutch.

– Kuba joined a team that wasn’t doing too well. A few weeks later, the coach changed, which certainly wasn’t easy for him. However, his game is impressive, especially after those injuries.  In Holland, they are delighted with him – says the SC Heerenveen goalkeeper , Moder’s former teammate from Lech Poznań , Mickey van der Hart , in an interview with WP SportoweFakty .

As Van der Hart notes, the 26-year-old Polish international coped brilliantly with the pressure from the stands at De Kuip Stadium , which can be heated, especially when the team is not doing well.

– Feyenoord fans are extremely demanding. Feyenoord doesn’t win as many titles as Ajax or PSV, but expectations are huge and fans always expect a championship – emphasizes the former Lech Poznań goalkeeper.

One could wonder whether Moder is not taking a step back by joining Feyenoord. Our interlocutor emphasizes, however, that playing in the Champions League may be key to the Pole’s development – not only this season, but also next.

– In terms of changing the Premier League to the Eredivisie, it’s definitely a step back. However, Feyenoord played in the Champions League this season and are now fighting for a place in it next season. In addition, Kuba got the minutes he needed so much.  Playing at this level will definitely allow Moder to become a better player – emphasizes the 30-year-old goalkeeper.

And how can the experience gained in the colours of “Kolejorz”, fighting among others in the group stage of the Europa League of the 2020/21 season, as well as the experience already acquired on English pitches, help the 26-year-old?

– The injury has slowed Kuba’s development, but he used to play regularly in the Premier League. He is used to playing at a much higher intensity , with matches every few days. This now gives him an advantage in the Eredivisie – notes Van der Hart, adding: – Kuba fits the style of play of Feyenoord and the Dutch league. His team wants to control every match and play football, and this allows him to show his full skills.

When both men met in Lech Poznań, Jakub Moder showed great potential. Today, however, he is a much more mature player and… built a bit differently.

– When we played together, “Modziu” was very slim. Now he looks like he’s twice as big – laughs the Heerenveen goalkeeper and adds: – Even then, however, he had the strength to run from penalty area to penalty area, he was characterized by a strong shot from distance. Today, when I watch him at Feyenoord, he has become better with the ball at his feet. Playing in the Premier League has taught him to react faster to situations on the pitch. He is one of the best players in this position in the entire Eredivisie.

Interestingly, Van der Hart had the opportunity to work for eight months with Moder’s coach, Robin van Persie . The 30-year-old goalkeeper claims that working with the 102-time Dutch international can help the Pole spread his wings.

– He is a very demanding coach. He will never accept a player who does not give 100%. He expects his players to play bravely and control the course of each match. He places a lot of responsibility on the midfielders, who are key to his plan. Moder is no different. Kuba will definitely become a better player under a coach with Van Persie’s mentality – sums up Van der Hart.

There are four rounds left in the Eredivisie season. Feyenoord currently sit third in the league table, behind Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven.

– When we meet, I’ll tell Moder that he chose the wrong club – laughs at the end of our conversation Van der Hart, who is a product of Feyenoord’s rivals Ajax.

The opportunity to meet again after so many years will come in the last round of the league, when SC Heerenveen will host Feyenoord at home. Most likely with Jakub Moder in the starting eleven.