Gimenez urged to snub Chelsea and Real Madrid by Liverpool cult hero

Imre Himmelbauer

• Updated: 13 Dec 2023 06:45 GMT
• 3 min read

Santiago Giménez would do well to stay with Feyenoord at least until the end of next season, says Liverpool cult hero Dirk Kuyt.

The striker is one of the star players of the Rotterdam club and is currently competing with AZ Alkmaar striker Vangelis Pavlidis for the Eredivisie top scorer title. The Mexican's performances have reportedly attracted the attention of the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Tottenham and Atlético Madrid, among others.

"I watch all Feyenoord matches. I think he is a fantastic striker," Kuyt says on the KieftJansenEgmondGijp podcast about the 22-year-old attacker. "He is someone who really likes to score goals from crosses from the flanks...or when a ball comes from the back, just behind the last line."

"I find those crosses, in particular, interesting because in the Dutch competition, they are less well-defended than in the Champions League. In the Champions League, he has now also encountered teams a few times where you have to deal with three central defenders."

Too early to leave

Giménez had a hard time with this in Europe, Kuyt believes. "In that case, it becomes a bit more difficult to find space, and you see that he is looking for solutions to be decisive at that level. People are immediately critical and say: 'He cannot handle that level.' That is still a development he has to achieve. I think he still has to take steps."

According to the Dutch legend, the 23-cap Mexico international would therefore do well to stay with Feyenoord even beyond this season. "Last year I said that he should stay at least this season and I am happy that he did that."

"But perhaps he should stay for another season, especially if Feyenoord can finish in the top two, to gain experience and to lay a solid foundation for himself. If he makes the switch too early and doesn't perform, he will get into a very difficult situation."

"We have seen that with top strikers from the Eredivisie who scored more than thirty goals and then went to the absolute elite, only to find out that it is a completely different kettle of fish."

Giménez was acquired from Cruz Azul in the summer of 2022, for an initial fee of €4 million. Feyenoord have now paid an additional €2m to acquire a total of 90 per cent of the striker's transfer rights.

This season he has 20 goals and three assists in 19 matches. In August, Giménez extended his contract until the summer of 2027.