Mario Been is not yet impressed by Ayase Ueda, the analyst says ESPN appear in the Dick Voormekaar Podcast by Football International. The most expensive Feyenoord player ever, who Santiago Gimenez has to tolerate this season, is not yet sufficiently assertive during his substitute appearances, according to Been. The former trainer saw that both strikers were struggling in the home match against AZ (1-0).
Feyenoord took over Ueda this summer for no less than 9 million euros from Cercle Brugge, where the seventeen-time international (two goals) from Japan was accurate every week. In Rotterdam, the record purchase after twelve appearances only has one goal, which Ueda scored in the away match against FC Utrecht (1-5).
For the time being, Ueda has to make do with short substitute appearances, as Gimenez is the absolute star at De Kuip. The Japanese has played a total of 260 minutes in the Feyenoord shirt so far. Ueda was only in the starting line-up against Atlético Madrid (3-2 defeat) due to a suspension for Gimenez. After sixty minutes he was replaced by Yankuba Minteh.
Ueda was given 24 minutes to prove himself against AZ last Sunday. After Gimenez, the substitute also had a difficult time against Bruno Martins Indi and Riechedly Bazoer, Been concludes. “Then Ueda comes in and that doesn’t make it any better…” Journalist Martijn Krabbendam agrees. “Feyenoord does have a problem if the striker is not in shape.”
Gimenez
Gimenez and Feyenoord’s wingers (Igor Paixão and Alireza Jahanbakhsh) also did not leave the best impression on Been. “Gimenez hardly shot anything on target. The sides were also very mediocre, especially Jahanbakhsh again very mediocre…”
According to Been, Feyenoord won the important match against AZ due to its good defense and midfield. “If you see Trauner play again, phew… That’s fantastic. He takes balls away and plays them back in just as easily. Then things are going well and if you can win 1-0, that is not convincing, but it is enough.”
Writer Michel van Egmond still sees plenty of opportunities for development in Feyenoord’s selection, including at the front. “There is still plenty of progress and potential in the group of players. To take advantage of those opportunities next time in Europe, that could be the next step, right?” Leg agrees. “In that respect it would be very good if they continue in the Champions League. That is very important for the development of the players.”