Former Manchester United hero Robin van Persie believes his son Shaqueel is already better in one key area than his legendary father, the Feyenoord starlet proving to be as good with his head as he is with his feet.
A front three of Kai Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr and Shaqueel van Persie? The teenage trio may have almighty shoes to fill, but the sons of three iconic Premier League forwards are certainly heading in the right direction as they look to make a name for themselves in their own right in the professional game.
Shaqueel van Persie clearly possesses Robin’s knack for a thumping free kick. Now the man who powered United to the club’s most recent Premier League title believes the 16-year-old striker is already his superior when it comes to one key attribute.
Can Shaqueel van Persie follow in Robin’s footsteps?
“I don’t say anything to him about that, he heads (the ball) in his own way. He has incredibly good timing. He has to keep doing it that way,” Van Persie Sr tells ESPN.
“If he constantly heads so well, both offensively and If defensively, then he can have that title from me.
“Yes, he really is (better than me in the air). It is really a weapon of his.”
London-born Shaqueel, who celebrates his 17th birthday in November, is following in Robin’s footsteps at Feyenoord, rising through the ranks at the Eredivisie leaders.
He has a staggering 21 goals in just 22 games for the youth team this season.
Maintain that goals-per-game record in the years to come at Feyenoord and who’s to say Shaqueel van Persie cannot dream of one day pulling on the gleaming red shirt of Manchester United too?
Forget RVP, are we entering the age of ‘SVP’?
“He is phenomenal,” says Pieter Schrasser Bert, the Netherlands U17 coach speaking to NOS.
“(Shaqueel has) something special’. His technical ability allows him to create opportunities for others. He can also find incredibly good positions (in order to score) goals.
“Just like his father.”
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