Driessen questions Feyenoord recruitment after Inter setback
The Dutch columnist says several summer signings have failed to deliver at Champions League level, with goalkeeper Tjark Ernst receiving particularly severe criticism.
Valentijn Driessen has criticised Feyenoord’s recruitment under Dévy Rigaux, arguing that the club’s summer additions have not shown enough quality in the Champions League. Voetbalzone, citing the journalist’s column for De Telegraaf, reports that Driessen believes growing unrest is possible if the newcomers continue to struggle on the biggest stage.
Driessen contrasted Feyenoord’s domestic performances with their displays against stronger opposition. He said Nacho Ferri, Charles Vanhoutte and Mika Mármol had looked useful in matches against PEC Zwolle, FC Utrecht, Telstar, Cambuur and AZ, but had been less convincing against PSV and in European competition.
Goalkeeper Tjark Ernst and Javi López were identified as the biggest disappointments among the new arrivals. Ernst joined from Hertha BSC and had reportedly been discussed inside De Kuip as a potential future successor to Manuel Neuer. Driessen dismissed that comparison and argued that the goalkeeper has so far failed to earn the confidence of his defence or the wider team.
The columnist was especially critical of Ernst’s performance against Inter, claiming the goalkeeper bore some responsibility for each of the Italian side’s three goals. As relayed by Voetbalzone, Driessen wrote that Ernst had made “a very weak impression” both domestically and in Europe. He also pointed to a moment when the Feyenoord crowd responded with loud, ironic cheers after Ernst safely held a routine catch late in the game.
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