Analyst Bram van Polen has described Luciano Valente as the most important player in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Feyenoord squad following the midfielder’s move to the left wing. Speaking on Goedemorgen Eredivisie, Van Polen praised Valente’s ability to bypass pressure and create opportunities with precise, ground-based passes through the center. He noted that he hopes Feyenoord plays the ball to Valente every time they attack, stating, “I enjoy this so much.”
Van Polen specifically highlighted a depth ball Valente delivered to Givairo Read during a 2-0 victory over AZ, calling it “the ball of the weekend” and stating, “you can wake me up for this.” He contrasted Valente’s style with that of Joey Veerman, noting that while Veerman also provides such balls, he often does so through the air, whereas Valente operates over the ground. Van Polen, a former defender who moved from Vitesse to PEC Zwolle in 2007, added, “you don’t see these balls with the Dutch national team.”
Impact of the Positional Shift
Van Polen noted that Valente has flourished with the freedom afforded by his new position on the left, adding a dynamic element to the team. He stated that Valente knows exactly how to fill that role and where to appear on the pitch, which provides a significant “added value” for Feyenoord.
Analyst Mario Been echoed this sentiment on De Eretribune, claiming that the entire team has improved since the positional change. Been observed that Valente operates in a “very free role” on the left flank, occasionally moving into the number 10 position to set up plays. According to Been, this shift has improved the midfield balance, allowing Zechiël to provide depth and running power while Targhalline and Vanhoutte act as controlling players. Been also noted that the tandem of Mármol and Valente works excellently.
National Team Comparisons
The shift in role has sparked discussion regarding Valente’s standing with the Dutch national team. Van Polen argued that the quality of passing seen from Valente is rarely visible within the Netherlands squad. Mario Been agreed that Valente is a quality player with an eye for players running into depth, stating, “I think he could have been with the Dutch national team.”
However, Been dismissed the idea that the positional change at Feyenoord would impact his international prospects, noting that Xavi views him as a midfielder. Been believes the move to the wing occurred after a match against NEC because play from the left had not been effective.
Valente played 90 minutes as a left winger in the win against AZ, a result that leaves the Rotterdammers in the top position of the league.
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