Marco van Ginkel

Marco van Ginkel

Van Ginkel playing for Chelsea in 2013
Personal information
Full nameWulfert Cornelius van Ginkel[1]
Date of birth1 December 1992
Place of birthAmersfoort, Netherlands
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Milan (on loan from Chelsea)
Number21
Youth career
1999–2010Vitesse
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2010–2013Vitesse93(18)
2013–Chelsea2(0)
2014–→ Milan (loan)12(0)
National team‡
2006–2007Netherlands U155(0)
2010–2011Netherlands U194(0)
2011–2014Netherlands U2123(4)
2012–Netherlands2(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:09, 8 September 2014 (UTC)

Wulfert Cornelius "Marco" van Ginkel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɑrkoː vɑn ˈɣɪŋkəl]; born 1 December 1992) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Milan on loan from Chelsea and the Netherlands national team.[3] 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.[4]

He is the son of former professional footballer Alex van Ginkel, who scored a goal for FC Utrecht in the 1987–88 UEFA Cup second round match against Hellas Verona.

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.[5]

Club career

Vitesse

Van Ginkel playing for 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.[6] He was just seventeen at the time of his senior club debut.[7] 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.[8] Van Ginkel scored Vitesse's second and fifth goals in a 5–2 defeat of Roda JC on 29 January 2011.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12][13] Upon his prospected moved to Chelsea, he was regarded as being the next Frank Lampard by Vitesse manager Peter Bosz.[14]

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.[15] With the fee reported to be in the region of £8 million.[16] 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.[17] 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."[18]

2013-14 Season

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.[19] 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.[20]

Van Ginkel made his competitive return to football in Chelsea's under-21s' match away to Manchester United on 21 March 2014. [21]

Loan to Milan

On 1 September 2014, A.C. Milan announced that Marko Van Ginkel had joined the Serie A club on loan from Chelsea for the 2014–15 season. During his loan at A.C. Milan, Van Ginkel will be wearing the number 21 jersey, formerly owned by some of the great names of the club such as Andrea Pirlo and Mauro Tassotti.[22]

Van Ginkel made his first appearance for A.C. Milan on the bench against Parma on 14 September 2014, but he did not make his debut until 23 September 2014. On 23 September, Van Ginkel made his first start as well as his debut for A.C. Milan against Empoli. His debut was cut short as he was taken off on a stretcher in the 34th minute after suffering an ankle injury.[23][24]

Following his injury, Van Ginkel made his way back on the bench on 19 October 2014, as A.C. Milan faced Hellas Verona, but was an unused sub. Again and again, Van Ginkel was left on the bench, without a single minute of game time; this led to his agent speaking out of the situation. His agent, Karel Jansen stated, "That we aren't happy about that is clear. It [leaving MvG out] went against all logic. Marco didn't have to go to Italy, if he wasn't going to be used anyway. Milan agreed with that. A fit and in-form Van Ginkel plays his way into Milan's starting XI." After Jasen speaking out for Van Ginkel, rumors started around about the possibly of Van Ginkel returning to Chelsea, or going on loan for another team.[25]

On 30 November 2014, Van Ginkel was finally deemed fit enough to start for Milan against Udinese. Van Ginkel played nearly the whole game, being substituted off for Riccardo Montolivo in the 89th minute; the final score was 2-0 A.C. Milan.[26] In the following game on 7 December 2014, Van Ginkel was again left on the bench as an unused substitute as A.C. Milan crashed into a 1-0 defeat against Genoa.[27]

Van Ginkel took a turn for the worst as he picked up an ankle injury during practice caused by teammate Sulley Muntari. The tackle from Muntari was described as "hard challenge, but it was not a violent challenge" by head coach Filippo Inzaghi; with the injury, Van Ginkel is ruled out for two months.[28]

Van Ginkel made his return to the bench on 18 January 2015, but it wasn't until 24 January that Van Ginkel made his return onto the pitch against Lazio, being substituted off in the 55th minute.[29]

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.[30] In May 2013, Van Ginkel was included in the Netherlands squad for the UEFA U21 Championship in Israel.[31]

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. 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.[32] Van Ginkel has described himself as “a real box-to-box player. I can score goals but I can also be important to defense.” [33]

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.”[34]

Career statistics

As of 29 April 2015.[35]
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Netherlands League KNVB Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
2009–10VitesseEredivisie4000–––40
2010–1126520–––285
2011–1230541––4[lower-alpha 1]0386
2012–1333841–4[lower-alpha 2]3–4112
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
2013–14ChelseaPremier League200010100040
Italy League Coppa Italia Supercoppa Italiana Europe Other Total
2014–15A.C. Milan (loan)Serie A12010------130
Vitesse total 9318102–434011123
Chelsea total 200010100040
A.C. Milan total 12010------130
Career total 1071811210534012823
  1. ↑ Appearances in Europa League play-offs
  2. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Barclays Premier League Squad Numbers 2013/14". Premier League. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  2. ↑ "Player Profile: Marco van Ginkel". chelseafc.com.
  3. ↑ "MARCO VAN GINKEL". Chelsea FC. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "Van Ginkel confirmed as Chelsea's latest recruit". UEFA. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Agent: Chelsea interested in Van Ginkel". ESPNFC. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "RKC Waalwijk vs. Vitesse 4 – 1". US Soccerway. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "Getting to know Chelsea target Marco van Ginkel". SB Nation. 27 May 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "Ajax vs. Vitesse 4–2". US Soccerway. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Vitesse vs. Roda JC 5–2". US Soccerway. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  10. ↑ "Vitesse vs. ADO '20 10–1". US Soccerway. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  11. ↑ "Heracles vs. Vitesse 3–5". US Soccerway. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  12. ↑ "Chelsea set to secure Van Ginkel as Mourinho's first signing". Goal.com. 27 May 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  13. ↑ "Marco van Ginkel wint Johan Cruijff Prijs" (in Dutch). Vitesse. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Vitesse praise Van Ginkel hunters Chelsea, new coach suggests player could be leaving soon". Sports Witness. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "AGREEMENT REACHED FOR TRANSFER OF VAN GINKEL". Chelsea. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "Chelsea set to complete deal for Marco van Ginkel". BBC Sport. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "VAN GINKEL SIGNS". Chelsea FC. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  18. ↑ "First Words: Marco van Ginkel". Chelsea FC. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  19. ↑ Winter, Henry (18 August 2013). "Chelsea 2 Hull City 0: match report". The Telegraph (London).
  20. ↑ "Chelsea's Marco van Ginkel expected to be out for six to nine months after tearing anterior cruciate ligament". The Telegraph (London). 26 September 2013.
  21. ↑ "Chelsea youngster Van Ginkel returns from injury in U21 clash with United". Mail Online. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  22. ↑ "Done deal, Marco van Ginkel joins AC Milan". 31 August 2014.
  23. ↑ "Empoli vs. Milan 2 - 2". 23 September 2014.
  24. ↑ "Marco Van Ginkel taken off on a stretcher, Fernando Torres scores". 23 September 2014.
  25. ↑ "Van Ginkel agent troubled by Milan treatment". 4 November 2014.
  26. ↑ "Milan vs. Udinese 2 - 0". 30 November 2014.
  27. ↑ "Genoa vs. Milan 1 - 0". 7 December 2014.
  28. ↑ "More bad news for Marco van Ginkel". 15 December 2014.
  29. ↑ . 24 January 2015 http://us.soccerway.com/matches/2015/01/24/italy/serie-a/ss-lazio-roma/ac-milan/1836487/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ↑ "Stalemate between Netherlands and Germany". UEFA. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  31. ↑ "Netherlands – Under-21". UEFA. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  32. ↑ "Marco van Ginkel profile: Chelsea new boy can become 'a hybrid of Frank Lampard and vintage Michael Essien'". Mirror Football. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  33. ↑ Barlow, Matt (16 August 2013). "He's a cross between Lampard and Gerrard and Dutchman Van Ginkel is looking to make a flying start at Chelsea". London: Mail Online. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  34. ↑ Barlow, Matt (16 August 2013). "He's a cross between Lampard and Gerrard and Dutchman Van Ginkel is looking to make a flying start at Chelsea". London: Mail Online. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  35. ↑ "M. van Ginkel". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 4 July 2013.

External links

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