Kenneth Perez does not think Mats Wieffer can handle a move to Atlético Madrid. After the match between Feyenoord and AZ in the quarter-final of the TOTO KNVB Cup (2-0), the midfielder of the Rotterdam team acknowledges in front of the camera of ESPN that the Madrilenians had discussions with the club management of Feyenoord about a transfer, but that the clubs could not reach an agreement. Pierre van Hooijdonk is more positive about Wieffer's chances of success.

Wieffer was important for Feyenoord in the second goal, when he gave a nice through ball to assist provider Calvin Stengs. Ultimately, Bart Nieuwkoop was able to finish from close range.

After the match, Wieffer told Hans Kraay Jr. that Feyenoord spoke with Atlético Madrid about a transfer, but that the parties could not agree on a transfer. In the studio of ESPN Perez reacts somewhat surprised.

“Does it make sense for Atlético Madrid to end up with Mats Wieffer? That seems like a big step to me,” Perez laughs. “Atlético looks carefully at the type of player they need and figures are undoubtedly taken into account. Then he will score high.”

“He obviously made an impression in the Champions League diptych. It seems very difficult to me to immediately become a starter at Atlético Madrid from the Eredivisie. That is not necessarily necessary,” says Perez.

Van Hooijdonk has significantly more confidence in a possible step up for Wieffer. “I have every confidence in it actually. I think he is better than we in the Netherlands think. He is a player who has remained under the radar for quite a long time.”

“The development then proceeded relatively quickly for Wieffer, which meant that we in the Netherlands could not fully appreciate his qualities. We often expect players who take a step every time in a relatively short period of time to stop development quickly. But then you often see that there is an even higher level to it,” concludes Van Hooijdonk.

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