Ibrahim Afellay advises Isaac Babadi to extend his contract with PSV as soon as possible. The analyst sees a bright future for the eighteen-year-old talent, provided he does not yield to the advice of his representatives. Afellay calls them 'gold diggers', live at NOS Studio Football. “You just hope that his environment encourages a boy like that.”

Babadi was allowed to participate again for at least half of PSV on Sunday (against FC Volendam, 1-5 win). The attacking midfielder played very well and also scored his very first Eredivisie goal.

Afellay 'it made me happy', he says NOS Studio Football. “A great talent who is once again knocking on the door. It all looks super easy. He always creates time and space for himself because he is so one with the ball. That is just a pleasure to watch.”

However, Babadi mainly spends his minutes with the promises. At the start of the season he was still a regular starter. “It's not surprising if you get a setback as a young player,” says Afellay. “And PSV of course has the luxury of having so many good players.”

Contract issues

Babadi's supporting role may have to do with his dire contract situation. His contract expires at the end of June, but he cannot yet agree on an extension. Babadi's entourage reportedly wants a proposal that shows that PSV is keen to keep him. Afellay strongly advises the midfielder to re-sign.

“This boy plays at a great club, has plenty to play for. If you look at the path Saibari has taken, how he became a starter… And he has a coach who does not hesitate to throw young players to the lions . But he is a boy with gold diggers around him.”

“You hope that the environment of such a boy stimulates him,” Afellay continues. “When he is not playing in the first team, he simply has Jong PSV, which also plays at a good level in the Kitchen Champion Division. The boy can also develop there. Then you are offered such a great contract, those are serious amounts. Then you have to thank God on your knees and just sign that contract.”

More sports news