Justin Kluivert has been a stand out performer in the Premier League this season for AFC Bournemouth, with 11 goals including two hat-tricks to his name.
His development, however, hasn’t always been a linear trajectory. With six clubs to his name, Kluivert has played in each of the top five European Leagues.
Kluivert, famously the son of Patrick Kluivert, started his career at Dutch giants Ajax before departing in 2018 to join Roma.
Dutch Football expert, Max Bradfield, reveals how much pressure was on Kluivert early in his career.
“Everything came so fast at him; his Netherlands debut, his move to Roma, unsuccessful loan spells.
All of this happened but he’s still only 25. To have the mental strength to take on the criticism and the responsibility of your name is brilliant.”
With clubs including RB Leipzig, Nice and Valencia on the CV, his move to Bournemouth has been successful and he’s thrived under manager Andoni Iraola.
He has now settled with the Cherries and Bradfield thinks Kluivert is in the prefect place to take the step to the next level.
“Under Iraola, the culture at Bournemouth is brilliant for a player like him to kick on, Iraola has this patience and a personable nature with players to get the best out of them and their position in the table shows that.”
Kluivert will be hoping to keep his sparkling form going as Bournemouth look to challenge for a European spot.
The Dutchman scored four goals across the trips to Chelsea and Newcastle, and has dispatched all six of the spot kicks he has taken this season.
With the Cherries injury crisis being a huge burden on Iraola and the medical team, it’s reassuring to know that Bournemouth can rely on their star Dutchman during this tricky run of fixtures.
New ‘Lunch With’ series launched by Dorset charity