Feyenoord midfielders Vanhoutte and Steijn discuss roles

Feyenoord midfielders Charles Vanhoutte and Sem Steijn have shared insights regarding their roles and ambitions at the Rotterdam-based club.

Charles Vanhoutte, a Belgian midfielder who joined this summer, describes himself as a player who performs the ‘dirty work’ to support his teammates. Aiming to provide balance in the midfield through ball recovery and closing spaces, Vanhoutte noted that his impact is not always reflected in statistics. He also reflected on his journey to professional football, noting that he was once told at age fifteen that he was too small to play professionally, which led him to pursue studies in physiotherapy and physical education as a backup.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Sem Steijn is seeking more playing time after appearing in only three matches so far this season. Following a recent appearance in a Champions League match against FC Barcelona, Steijn expressed his readiness to adapt to different roles, including playing as a striker if required. While he primarily operates as a ‘number ten’, he noted his ability to play in more advanced positions and emphasized his commitment to fighting for more minutes on the pitch.