Ian Smeulers has been updating almost his entire life Feyenoord around, but put as a mercenary of FC Dordrecht and Willem II his first cautious steps in professional football. The 21-year-old left back has been playing in Tilburg since the beginning of February and collected thirty Eredivisieminutes together, spread over three short raids.
However, Smeulers cherishes what he has, he tells it Brabants Dagblad. “I came to Willem II without great expectations,” said the youth international, who mainly wants to gain experience. “At Feyenoord I had two very good left backs (Tyrell Malacia and Ridgeciano Haps, ed.) In front of me in the ranking. Then you know that the chance of playing is very small. Here I am closer to it. good feeling.”
He is now involved in a fierce relegation battle with Willem II. “At Feyenoord in the youth I have always felt the pressure of having to perform. Grabbing prizes. But I do notice that that is slightly different from the pressure with a team that fights against relegation. That is even more intense.” The number sixteen of the Eredivisie has now started the way up and is getting the safe places in sight again: the team spirit is good, Smeulers notices. “Encourage, give directions … That’s what the other bankers do too and that’s nice to see. This happens a lot less with opponents, I notice.”
Willem II now has eight games to finish above the relegation line: Smeulers wants to contribute, no matter how small that stone is. “Even if I have to come in in the 92nd minute, I will still go for it one hundred percent”, it sounds. “Willem II has offered me a chance, I would like to pay it back with everything I have in me.”
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