Read is partly thanks to a special bond with Van Persie certainty at Feyenoord

He is still only 18 years old, but Givairo Read is already a certainty in the basic setup of Feyenoord. Since February he did not miss a minute of the Rotterdammers in the Eredivisie and regularly showed himself with goals and assists.

It is going fast with the development of the right back and that is largely due to his special relationship with trainer Robin van Persie, Read tells PSV prior to the Eredivisietopper.

“We talk a lot, understand each other easily,” says Read about Van Persie. “I feel a bond between us.”

The bond between the young Amsterdammer and the former top striker was created two years ago. Just like a 16-year-old, Read was debuted in professional football at FC Volendam and was in the interest of Feyenoord. With his family he drove to Rotterdam-Zuid to talk about a possible transfer.

“On the outward ride we mainly said: we’re just going to listen to what they have to say,” reads Read. “And then you are back in the car and my family said: we see that you doubt that you actually want to go. My whole thought had changed.”

Read spoke at Feyenoord with none other than Van Persie, who was then in charge of the highest youth team of the club. He personally convinced the Read family. “That such a legend in football wants you to have in his team … It’s hard to say no,” smiles Read.

In between, Van Persie made a trip to SC Heerenveen, to return to Rotterdam for the head coach of Feyenoord after just over half a season. Since then things have been going well at the club, which played a draw once under Van Persie and then won seven times in a row in the Eredivisie.

“A number of things have changed of course,” says Read. “Van Persie came here with a plan. The small things within the club have also changed and you notice that difference. He expects much more intensity on the field, in training and even indoor rooms.”

Read thrives well under the approach of Van Persie. For example, he already gave six assists this season, three of which are in the game with FC Twente. This made the 18-year-old right back the youngest player this century with so many assists in an premier division competition.

“I am now more involved in attacking, I feel. As a result, I now have more assists and goals and I feel comfortable with that,” Read says satisfied. Yet he will not blow high from the tower soon.

“There are plenty of points for improvement that I work hard on. For now I think it’s going nice, but I remain critical towards myself.”

Tomorrow afternoon Read will play a special duel in the top of the Eredivisie with Feyenoord. The Rotterdammers receive PSV in their own house, with which they are still engaged in a battle for second place. The difference in the ranking is now five points.

However, Feyenoord can not only help itself, but also arch -rival Ajax. If Feyenoord wins the top match against PSV, the Amsterdammers can become champions later in the afternoon if they win their own match against NEC.