Sven Botman: All About the Dutch Defender

Sven Botman: All About the Dutch Defender

It’s fair to say that this season football has been anything but normal. With the majority of games having to be held behind closed doors, it’s left teams across Europe facing a number of different problems. For some clubs playing in empty stadiums has lead to surges in success.

The French Ligue 1 is a league that doesn’t often receive the credit that it deserves. Paris Saint-Germain have been crowned champions of France seven times in the last ten years. This explains the lack of competitiveness in Ligue 1. Despite PSG’s success and financial advantage over other teams, things in the French Ligue 1 could be beginning to change.

?? The Ligue 1 table after PSG's 4-2 win at Lyon tonight

1⃣ PSG – 63 points
2⃣ Lille – 63 points

⏩ First game back for both sides after the international break?

? PSG ? Lille pic.twitter.com/Tz9jfm9pOL

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 21, 2021

Lille in the League

At the time of writing LOSC Lille are currently second in Ligue 1, level on points with 1st place PSG. This season Ligue 1 has reinstalled it’s competitive edge and now four teams are in with a chance of being crowned champions. Lille, PSG, Lyon and Monaco are the teams trying to reach the top. The Lille side that are currently managed by Christophe Galtier are on fine form at the moment. The heavy competition around them means they must continue this spell of success if they want to retain their lead. One man who’s played a key role in the Lille back line goes by the name of Sven Botman.

?? Sven Botman you legend ? First goal in Orange for our brilliant defender yesterday ? https://t.co/sKQrhoi3Sg

— LOSC Lille EN (@LOSC_EN) March 31, 2021

Super Sven Botman

It feels like almost everyday the Netherlands produces a new young talent. One of the most exciting Dutch prospects on everyone’s radar at the moment is 21 year old Sven Botman. The central defender’s market value has risen from a million pounds to over twenty million pounds in less than a year. Now the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham and Inter Milan are reportedly after him.

Botman rose through the ranks at Ajax and endured a successful loan spell with Heerenveen in the Eredivisie. In such a short space of time he’s made a name for himself in France, having made over 25 league appearances this season with Lille. The youngster had also made his first 3 appearances for the Dutch under 21 squad before the end of 2020. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches tall, Botman wins the majority of his ariel duels. His solid strength at the back and brilliant passing accuracy are just two of the standout traits this man holds.

Lille are challenging for the title this season, and it surely helps that their players are so strong in duels.

Their midfielder Benjamin André has won the most duels in the division, while their CB duo Sven Botman and José Fonte win the highest portion of duels they contest! ? pic.twitter.com/4JAowV9HYH

— SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) March 29, 2021

Erik Ten Hag’s Regret

After Botman’s incredible increase in value and his sensational performances for Lille you might ask yourself the question; Why did Ajax sell him? This is exactly what Ajax manager, Erik Ten Hag was asked during a press conference in February. Ten Hag responded honestly by admitting that Ajax’s current central defenders, Daley Blind and Lisandro Martínez were the right fit for his squad. You can imagine that Ten Hag may feel a little remorse over the situation, but selling high potential players isn’t an unusual occurrence for managers.

With the amount of high quality youth that Ajax produce, it definitely won’t be long until another exciting defender rises through the ranks. Ajax also have the likes of Perr Schuurs (21), Jurrien Timber (19) and Devyne Rensch (18) who are also central-defenders. Ajax definitely don’t need to panic.

Ten Hag after the game last night:

“I find Lisandro Martínez an excellent player, he is actually starting material and this is why I talk with him a lot. But he has a lot of competition with Daley Blind, Tagliafico & Gravenberch. I can only start 11 players.” [espn] pic.twitter.com/6NQxM7ig5k

— ??? ???? ? (@TheEuropeanLad) January 21, 2021

What will the Future Hold for Botman?

This Summer will undoubtedly be a busy time of year for Botman. Whether he remains at Lille or moves away from the Stade Pierre Mauroy, the Dutchman’s agent will definitely be receiving a high volume of phone calls.

If Ozan Kabak’s loan spell at Liverpool doesn’t workout, could Botman be a replacement? Could a move to Italy be a potential option? There are plenty of questions we’d love to know the answer to. With the Euro’s fast approaching, it’s very possible that an international call up could be on the cards for Sven Botman. It’s definitely worth keeping an eye on this young man.

We looked at the analytics perspective on some of the hottest young talents to watch out for during the European Under-21 Championship and picked a top ten.

?‍♂️ If you could pick one of these players to sign in the summer, who would it be and why?

Let us know ? pic.twitter.com/5evz7T6pw4

— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) March 30, 2021

We hope you enjoyed the article ‘Sven Botman: All about the Dutch Defender’. Where do you think Botman will move to this Summer? Let us know!

Read more on football here: 

• Who will be Relegated from the Premier League this Season?
• Women’s Champions League: Can Anyone Beat Lyon to the Title? 
• Rangers FC: 55 and Counting 
• Best XI Outside the Big 6: Premier League