Marco van Ginkel

Marco van Ginkel

Van Ginkel playing for Chelsea in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Wulfert Cornelius van Ginkel[1]
Date of birth	(1992-12-01) 1 December 1992
Place of birth	Amersfoort, Netherlands
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Chelsea
Number	16
Youth career
1999–2010	Vitesse
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2010–2013	Vitesse	93	(18)
2013–	Chelsea	2	(0)
National team‡
2006–2007	Netherlands U15	5	(0)
2010–2011	Netherlands U19	4	(0)
2011–	Netherlands U21	19	(4)
2012–	Netherlands	2	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21 August 2013. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 09:50, 7 September 2013 (UTC)

Wulfert Cornelius "Marco" van Ginkel (/ˈmɑrkoʊ væn ˈhɪŋkəl/, Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmarkoː vɑn ˈɣɪŋkəl] ( listen); born 1 December 1992) is a Dutch professional footballer, who plays as a midfielder for English club Chelsea and the Netherlands national team.^[2] Van Ginkel began his career in the youth ranks of SBV Vitesse, joining the Arnhem-based club as a seven year old in 1999. After making his way through the various youth levels at the club, Van Ginkel debuted for the senior team in 2010 before sealing a transfer around £8 million to Chelsea in 2013.^[3]

At the international level, Van Ginkel represented the Netherlands at the U19 and U21 levels before making his senior team debut against Germany in November 2012.^[4]

Club career

Vitesse

Van Ginkel made his debut for Vitesse on 9 April 2010, replacing Nicky Hofs in the 67th minute as the club fell to a 4–1 defeat to RKC Waalwijk in Eredivisie action.^[5] He was just seventeen at the time of his senior club debut.^[6] His first senior goal for the club came in his first appearance of the 2010–11 Eredivisie campaign, netting in the 43rd minute to bring the game to 2–2 before two second half goals sent Ajax to a 4–2 win.^[7] Van Ginkel scored Vitesse's second and fifth goals in a 5–2 defeat of Roda JC on 29 January 2011.^[8]

In the KNVB Cup on 19 December 2012, Van Ginkel scored Vitesse's second goal in a memorable 10–1 win over third division side ADO '20.^[9] On 23 February 2013, Van Ginkel notched a brace and Wilfried Bony netted a hat-trick as Vitesse defeated Heracles in a 5–3 shoot-out.^[10] After a stellar campaign, which saw Van Ginkel net eight Eredivisie goals and Vitesse finish in fourth, the club's highest position since finishing in third in 1998, he was voted as the Dutch Talent of the Year awarding his play as the best footballer in the league under 21.^[11][12] Upon his prospected moved to Chelsea, he was regarded as being the next Frank Lampard by Vitesse manager Peter Bosz.^[13]

Chelsea

On 3 July 2013, English Premier League club Chelsea announced that they had reached an agreement with Vitesse for the transfer of Van Ginkel.^[14] With the fee reported to be in the region of £8 million.^[15] On 5 July, Chelsea confirmed that they had completed the signing of Van Ginkel, with the Dutch international midfielder signing a five-year contract with the club.^[16] Speaking to the official Chelsea website upon his signing with the club, Van Ginkel described himself as "a box-to-box player" who "covers a lot of metres and can score a goal."^[17]

On the opening day of the 2013–14 Premier League season, Van Ginkel made his competitive debut for Chelsea as a substitute against Hull City.^[18]

On 18 September 2013, Van Ginkel played his first Champions League game in a 2–1 home defeat by FC Basel.

On 24 September 2013, in a League Cup match against Swindon Town, Van Ginkel suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury which will keep him out for an estimated minimum of six months.^[19]

International career

Van Ginkel made his senior debut with the Netherlands national team against Germany on 14 November 2012, coming on as a late substitute in their 0–0 friendly at the Amsterdam Arena.^[20] In May 2013, Van Ginkel was included in the Netherlands squad for the UEFA U21 Championship in Israel.^[21]

Style of Play

Van Ginkel primarily plays as a central midfielder but has been lauded for his ability to play in a multitude of positions including defensive midfield and across the attacking midfield.^[22] From his early playing days at Vitesse he has primarily played in an attacking role, however, has matured in his ability to play in a deeper defensive role. Despite his young age, Van Ginkel is recognized as a solid, well-rounded player who has all the tools of a future superstar. On the pitch he is widely known for his maturity on the ball, super ball control and an extensive range of passing. He is comfortable with both feet, makes intelligent runs into the box and has an exceptional long-range shot. ^[23] Van Ginkel has described himself as “a real box-to-box player. I can score goals but I can also be important to defense.” ^[24]

Current Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, holds the youngster in high regard and has likened him to England greats Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. He has described Van Ginkel as an engine with immense physical power. As with several others, Jose is quick to point out his overall game, “He covers a fantastic area of the field defensively and after that he has this instinct where he wants to go into finishing areas, he wants to score goals. He’s very good in the air.”^[25]

Career statistics

As of 26 September 2013.^[26]

Honours

Individual

• Dutch Football Talent of the Year: 2012–13

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marco van Ginkel.

• Marco van Ginkel career stats at Soccerbase
• (Dutch)
• Netherlands stats at OnsOranje (Dutch)
• Netherlands stats at OnsOranje (Dutch)
• Transfermarkt Profile