Name: Bruno Martins Indi
Club: Feyenoord
Nationality: Dutch
Position: Defender
Who is he?
Born in Portugal, Martins Indi moved to the Netherlands when he was three months old, growing up in Rotterdam. Naturally, being raised in that city as an up and coming young footballer, he signed for Feyenoord’s academy.
Graduating in 2010, he made his club debut that August in the Europa League, before making his Dutch league debut three days later.
Martins Indi was an exceptional figure in that debut season, which also saw him capped 11 times for the Netherlands U19s.
Achievements
His rise has been so meteoric that he has skipped the national team U21 squad and become part of the senior set-up. After the debacle of Euro 2012, Martins Indi was one of the young players to benefit, alongside Jordy Clasie.
He made his international debut against neighbours Belgium last August, creating two goals and since that game he has earned a further eight caps, scoring twice.
All the while he has been a regular in defence for a Feyernoord team that finished a creditable third in the Eredivisie.
Attributes
At just 21, the 1m84 defender is one of the brightest prospects in Dutch football particularly in a position that the Oranje have failed to staff effectivelyin recent years.
Fast, physically strong and composed, he is also versatile as he can play both in the centre of defence and at left-back. However left-back is where his current club coach Ronald Koeman sees him plying his trade in the future.
Strong in the air, he is also adept in possession when playing out from the back. The one slight weakness that he can work on is his positioning, although this can be addressed on the training ground with time on his side.
Potential
With his attributes, Martins Indi has enormous potential. The fact that clubs like Liverpool, Tottenham, AC Milan and Chelsea are after his signature is enough evidence of his talents.
Feyenoord are not exactly awash with money which would make a bid of €5 – 7 million realistic.
But whether he should leave his home-town club so early in his career is a decision he must not take lightly.
