Alfred Schreuder made Melayro Bogarde the youngest Dutch debutant ever in the Bundesliga on Saturday. The Hoffenheim coach has high expectations of the nephew of former international Winston Bogarde.
“He can still take defensive steps, but Melayro is very strong in attacking and constructive. Today was good, but he can do much, much better”, Schreuder said after the 0-1 win over FSV Mainz. FOX Sports.
Bogarde, who was plucked from the youth academy of Feyenoord by Hoffenheim two years ago, was 18 years and 2 days old on Saturday, making him the youngest Dutch Bundesliga debutant ever to take over from Hertha BSC striker Daishawn Redan.
As a right back, the born Rotterdammer was the replacement for Pavel Kaderabek, who was absent due to private circumstances and did it properly. He was shown a yellow card in the twelfth minute and then made another foul, after which Schreuder substituted him at half-time as a precaution.
“I think that yellow card was a bit of evidence, because normally he is not a defender who makes a lot of fouls. He is more of a smart defender,” said the Dutch trainer. “But he was right and I told him that he did just fine before his debut. In a position where he has not played very often.”
Bogarde always plays central in the defense of the Hoffenheim youth team this season and Schreuder sees that as his best position. “I remember a year and a half ago we had a discussion at Ajax whether Frenkie de Jong can play as a central defender. Of course I do not want to compare Melayro with Frenkie, but he can certainly play football playing in the Bundesliga in the center . Easy.”
