Teenage kicks: Chelsea have struck a deal to sign
promising Feyenoord defender Nathan Ake
Angry Feyenoord are threatening to report Chelsea to
FIFA after losing a highly-rated teenage star to the Premier League
champions.
Fifteen-year-old defender Nathan Ake has agreed to quit Holland
for the Blues when he turns 16 in February.
Feyenoord will receive just £230,000 in compensation for the
youngster - who can also play in midfield - and the club’s top
brass were last night fuming.
A spokesman for the Dutch club said last night: “You must wonder
if this is in the interests of football.
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“As a club it is difficult for us to do anything about this.
That lies at world football association FIFA or the European
association UEFA. But it is a discussion to be had, that is
clear.”
Hands off: Feyenoord sporting director Leo
Beenhakker is furious with Chelsea
Feyenoord sporting director Leo Beenhakker last night
lambasted what he described as the predatory tactics of Premier
League clubs.
He said: “What can you do? English clubs are the great white
sharks of football. Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, they
are all in the game.
“We had a wonderful deal for Nathan, but the lad wanted only one
thing: Chelsea. It's game over for us.”
It is not the first time frustrated Feyenoord have developed
promising players only to see them defect to Premier League
clubs.
They previously lost current Dutch international Jeffrey Bruma
to Chelsea in similar fashion, while they saw Kyle Ebecilio leaving
Rotterdam for Arsenal.
Beenhakker added: “It’s driving me crazy that hot prospects are
walking away from us like this.
“The Premier League clubs spoil the market with their behaviour.
Other clubs in Europe aren’t doing this kind of things, but the
English sides just don’t care.”
“I’ve discussed this matter with Nathan and his parents. He told
me that he really wanted to move to England and his parents were
okay with his decision.
“I was impressed with Nathan’s determination at such a young
age, but it’s obviously bad news for Feyenoord. We can’t do
anything about it if a foreign club comes up to sign one of our
youngsters.”
A Chelsea spokesman said last night: “We have kept Feyenoord
well abreast of our interest and as such we have reached an
agreement with them.”
Three years ago, Chelsea were handed a transfer ban - later
lifted on appeal - from FIFA after Gael Kakuta joined the club from
Lens.
Shooting off: French striker Nicolas Anelka could
leave Chelsea and finish his career in America
Meanwhile, Nicolas Anelka could become the latest
Premier League star to end their playing days in Major League
Soccer.
The 31-year-old Blues striker is under contract at Stamford
Bridge until 2012.
Once that happens, his brother Claude believes the former Real
Madrid and Arsenal marksman could be tempted away to America.
Claude said: “Nicolas said, ‘When my [Chelsea] contract is over,
what will I do?’ The United States would interest him, he told
me.
“There are more and more players who want to go and play there.
It would be a dream for him.
“The United States represents something. Players say, ‘I’ll try
and play there, even if I earn less money than in Qatar’ for
example.’”
Anelka has scored 52 goals for Chelsea since moved to west
London in 2008, including 10 this season.