Feyenoord will be without midfielder Sem Steijn for the foreseeable future. The player underwent successful meniscus surgery this week and has begun his recovery. While manager Robin van Persie expressed hope that Steijn could return to the pitch this season, Dutch football legend Willem van Hanegem is less optimistic about the young player’s prospects.
Van Hanegem, in a column for Algemeen Dagblad, offered a stark assessment of Steijn’s challenging first season with the Rotterdam club. The situation is further complicated by the intense focus on latest arrival Raheem Sterling, who recently made his debut for Feyenoord after a nine-month absence from competitive play. Sterling came off the bench in a 2-1 Eredivisie win over Telstar on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
“At Feyenoord, it’s all about Raheem Sterling now,” Van Hanegem observed. “Everyone is clinging to him. That was a bit the same with Sem Steijn in the summer. He had surgery on his meniscus this week, and normally that means the season is over.”
A Difficult First Season for Steijn
Van Hanegem reflected on Steijn’s difficult introduction to life at De Kuip. “Steijn hasn’t really been helped as a player at Feyenoord. Brought in for millions, given the captain’s armband, then quickly on the bench, the armband taken away, criticized by Jeremiah St. Juste, a few insignificant substitute appearances, and now on crutches,” he wrote. The midfielder’s injury comes at a difficult time for Feyenoord, as they navigate injuries to key players. Feyenoord confirmed Steijn’s injury and successful surgery earlier this week.
The veteran pundit believes Steijn will need significant mental fortitude to overcome these setbacks. “You have to be mentally strong to turn all of that around on your side again in the summer,” Van Hanegem stated.
Sterling’s Arrival and the Midfield Challenge
The focus on Sterling’s arrival is understandable, given the club’s need for creativity in midfield. With Sem Steijn and Oussama Targhalline both sidelined due to injury, Feyenoord is exploring options to bolster their central playmaking ability. FC Rijnmond has suggested Sterling could fill the ‘number ten’ role, although his primary position remains on the wing.
Sterling himself acknowledged the need to build fitness after a lengthy layoff. “Haven’t played in a little bit, but just trying to keep fit. Been with the team now for a little bit, so it’s just all on building a step at a time and trying to get to match fitness,” he said after his debut, as reported by ESPN. He also confirmed he has not yet spoken with England manager Thomas Tuchel about a potential return to the national team.
What’s Next for Feyenoord?
Feyenoord will continue to assess Steijn’s recovery and explore midfield options in the transfer market. The club will be hoping Sterling can quickly adapt to his new surroundings and provide a much-needed spark in attack. The Eredivisie season is reaching a crucial stage, and Van Persie will need to find a winning formula to secure Champions League qualification. The team’s performance in the coming weeks will be vital as they aim to achieve their season objectives.
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