The Kitchen Champion Division has been used as a nursery for national and international talents for decades and this season too, many football players with potential are walking around on the second level. Voetbalzone, the official media partner of the Kitchen Champion Division, highlights one of these talents every week, this time focusing on Jasper Dahlhaus, who hopes to distinguish himself as a nineteen-year-old ‘man with the hairband’ at FC Eindhoven.
By Thijs Verhaar
Always that hairband. You can almost hear the young right winger think when his signature clothing item comes up in the interview. In his early career, ‘the band’ has been discussed countless times. Whether he wears it to stand out or to look like someone? No. It’s just practical to prevent him from getting sweat in his eyes with his long hair while exercising. “When I was a little kid they sometimes jokingly called me Messi when I had that thing on my head again. He used to, of course, but it really has nothing to do with it. I’m just Jasper, with a headband. That’s all.”
He doesn’t necessarily have to mirror himself to other footballers. Dahlhaus just wants to make his moves on the sidelines, be important to the squad and get the most out of his talent. “Of course that includes watching a lot of football and there are really players I enjoy, but it’s not like I want to look like any of them or anything.” Still, one name immediately comes to mind when it comes to players who stand out for him. “Neymar. His dribbles are so beautiful to watch. I also always like to make promotions that the public can enjoy, so that is in a way an inspiration.”
Jasper Dahlhaus was immediately on track against FC Volendam in the first round on Friday.
Conversely, the Brazilian star of Paris Saint-Germain probably has no idea (yet) who the nineteen-year-old attacker of FC Eindhoven is, but if he were to see images of last Friday’s match against FC Volendam, there is probably one action. Neymar can also appreciate. Shortly before half time, Dahlhaus appeared alone on the Volendam side, with two defenders in front of him who blocked the way to the goal. Dahlhaus threw open the box of tricks, dribbled in like Arjen Robben, found a defender’s leg in his way, went to the ground and earned a penalty.
That was eventually shot in by Joey Sleegers, who also scored the 2-2 against the ropes shortly before the end of the game. As a result, the Eindhoven team surprisingly managed to steal a point from the title candidate at home, although the only eighteen-year-old substitute goalkeeper Jort Borgmans should also be complimented for his many saves. So no hero role for Dahlhaus, but that doesn’t bother him. “The points come to me for everything. That’s a bit characteristic of me. The fans can expect me to deliver a spectacle with my actions, crosses and shots, but it is not an objective in itself. My only goal is to win the match and if I can create enthusiasm in the stands with my game, that’s a nice bonus.”
However, he will undoubtedly have thought for a moment what would have happened if he had taken place behind the ball for the penalty kick. Dahlhaus would like to prove himself now that Eindhoven has definitively taken over him from Willem II this summer, after he was rented from the Tilburgers last season. “I like to show myself, yes. Naturally. And I know I can take a good penalty, so I will always raise my hand when the coach asks who wants to take it. I’ve done that before and it went well,” he refers with a sense of understatement to his debut with the the Dutch Under-18 in March 2019.
Dahlhaus was part of the the Dutch Under-19 at the last youth internationals.
At the time, he was allowed to come in two minutes before time against Italy’s peers. The the Dutch had taken the lead fifteen minutes earlier and before Dahlhaus had touched the ball, the Netherlands was awarded a penalty. “I knew that as a late substitute I had little time to prove myself, so I immediately went behind the ball. The boys thought it was okay and luckily I shot him in,” the right winger recalls. “That was a very nice moment for me. Wasn’t I afraid I wouldn’t be called up again if I missed? No. I just saw a great opportunity to prove myself. Fortunately I’m not a worrier in the field and I’ve been feeling good between the boys.”
His gamble paid off and Dahlhaus even found himself back at the Under-19 six months later, where he was on the field with Ryan Gravenberch, Ramon Hendriks, Joshua Zirkzee, Maxim Gullit and Brian Brobbey. “Of course that was a higher level than I was used to at the club, but I noticed that I could join. Secure. If you can play football with those kind of guys, you will automatically progress. Those are really experiences that I consider among the highlights of my career,” he says. “I am proud to say that I played for the Netherlands, but it should not remain the highlight. I want to experience that even more often in the future, although I don’t know whether I would still be in the picture when international football for youth resumes. I just have to do well at Eindhoven and then I’ll see.”
Dahlhaus started at a very young age at VIOD from Doetinchem and was soon noticed by the youth scouts of De Graafschap. The Super Farmers however, fished behind the net because Vitesse outperformed them. “I got a better feeling about that, so I made the switch when I was eight or nine. Since then I have always dreamed of becoming a pro. I also worked hard for that day in day out,” said Dahlhaus, who inherited the sportsman’s mentality from his parents. “I don’t come from a football family, but my mother was always involved in hockey and Dad played handball at a high level. They have always left me free to do what I like and taught me to go for it. I am immensely grateful to them for everything they have done and continue to do for me.”
His coaches at Vitesse and later Willem II are also praised by the nineteen-year-old. He made the switch to Tilburg in the summer of 2020 and was already presented with his professional debut in the Eredivisie in the first game of the season. In the second round, another came on, but that was it. “In the end, that year did not go as I hoped”, he now looks back. “Perhaps I had counted on that, because I had the feeling that I could compete well physically and football. I now hope to prove that at Eindhoven.” They took him over on a rental basis during the winter break and that resulted in one goal in thirteen games. “In terms of statistics, I am of course not satisfied with that, but I did feel the confidence of the club and I am also very happy with the playing minutes that I get.”
Dahlhaus made his debut in the Eredivisie last season with Willem II, but there was no more than a second substitute for the Tilburgers.
Dahlhaus therefore did not have to hesitate for long when Eindhoven reported to be permanently recruited this summer. Although he was in good shape in preparation for Willem II with five goals in two exhibition games, he still did not feel that he would get a serious chance in the Eredivisie. “At least not quickly, while I knew what I could get in Eindhoven. That is why I made the choice to leave Willem II behind me, even though I would have liked the competition. However, I think an intermediate step is the best choice because I need playing time. I now have a contract here for two years, so I have to use that to further develop myself.”
The right winger annex ‘number 10’ describes himself as fast and technical, while he also counts his good cross and insight among his strong points. “I also scored quite easily in the youth, but I first have to prove that in the Kitchen Champion Division. However, I know I have it in me, so that confidence is good.” At the same time, he is also aware of his areas for improvement. “Defensively, I have to do even more if I want to get to the top. The trainers are also hammering on that and luckily it is going in the right direction”, concludes Dahlhaus, who is eager to help his club to the play-offs. “That’s a good goal for this season, so I’m going to give everything for that.”
Name: Jasper Dahlhaus
Date of birth: Nov 27, 2001
Club: FC Eindhoven
Position: Right winger
Strengths: speed, insight, purposefulness
Voetbalzone is the official media partner of the Kitchen Champion Division
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