Ruben Schaken was partly at the basis of Rick Karsdorp’s breakthrough, the former right winger reveals in conversation with Football zonereporter Mounir Boualin. In his last season at Feyenoord, then coach Fred Rutten wanted to turn the former international to right back, which he refused. As a result, Karsdorp, originally a number ten, ended up in the position. Chess also talks about the ‘unprecedented’ popularity of the recently fired Ronald Koeman in Spain.
Chess earned a transfer to Feyenoord after having caused a furore on the wings of VVV-Venlo in 2010. He played a total of 113 games for the club until 2015 and was very important for the Rotterdam team, especially in his second, third and fourth season. Fred Rutten then took the helm, under whom Chess experienced lesser times. “You are top fit, in great shape, but you just don’t get a chance”, the former attacker looks back visibly emotionally. “I trained really hard, he dropped me in and I scored… it’s still very deep.”
Rutten wanted to use Chess in a different position, but the attacker didn’t like that. “I was 31, I didn’t feel like learning that anymore. Also because I was in the spotlight for a transfer after Feyenoord.” As a result, Rutten had to look further into other options. “So Karsdorp started playing right back because I said no.” Karsdorp eventually caught the attention of various top clubs and earned a transfer to AS Roma in 2017, where he is still a regular base player today.
Chess experienced its most successful Feyenoord years under coach Koeman. From 2011 to 2014, he played under the Dutch coach and even earned his debut in the Dutch national team. The dissatisfaction surrounding Koeman’s performance at Barcelona therefore calls Chess ‘sad’, as he knew it was his dream club. “He was in a wonderful position with the Dutch national team, but he said: ‘I’m just going.’ His popularity there was also unprecedented. When we were at a training camp in Spain, we as footballers were passed by for an autograph from Mr. Koeman. I knew it would be difficult, but now (just before Koemans resignation, ed.) it is even more miserable than I thought.”
Mounir Boualin is a freelance football vlogger, video journalist and presenter. For Voetbalzone he makes interviews about matches.