Blogs

Is Dwight Tiendalli a valuable addition for the Swans?

|
Image for Is Dwight Tiendalli a valuable addition for the Swans?

After the signing of left back Alexander Büttner, another left back from the Netherlands comes to Britain: Dwight Tiendalli has found a new employer: Swansea City. The left back, who was a free agent, will meet former teammate Canadian Dutchman Jonathan de Guzman.

The former FC Twente player has signed a one year contract. The contract of Tiendalli wasn’t renewed last summer, so The Swans could incorporate him without paying the transfer free. Whilst full back Neil Taylor was injured for quite a while , due to a broken ankle, manager Michael Laudrup was in distress for a new left back. He grabbed the late emergency opportunity. “I was a free agent and I had a couple of opportunities but I wanted to play in the Premier League and I have waited a long time for this opportunity. It was the right moment, because if it was later, I was going somewhere else.” (Source: BBC)

Nineteen year old Ben Davies has replaced Taylor, but lacks experience. Tiendalli has plenty of it. The 26 year defender played 160 games at the highest Dutch level for FC Utrecht, Feyenoord and Sparta Rotterdam. At Swansea, the surprise success story of last season’s Premier League, he will be united with compatriots Kemy Agustien en Michel Vorm. The last name has done surprisingly well in the land of the Swans, and in the world’s most prestigious competition.

The transfer of the Dutchman is the result of Swansea City owner, die-hard fan and Dutch wallpaper king John van Zweden, who has good connections with football clubs in his country. Van Zweden claims that the only Welsh club (together with Cardiff City) in the Premier League will be worth about 80 million pound if the club doesn’t get relegated. Relegation won’t happen if “Swanselona” plays on like they have done during the first few matches.

Tiendalli is a product of the Ajax football school and played in the national U21 squad. He’s a promising player turned into a necessary force at a barely fortified left back position. The rising star faded, partly because of injuries, partly because his contracts were not extended. Hopefully Swansea City with its crisp cut football is a nice podium for him to blossom. But it remains to be seen if current left back Davies will be replaced. He is proving to be a solid defender and a serious threat to Tiendalli. All that remains, is to see if the fanatic Jack Army will enjoy the efforts of the new asset.

Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:

ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.

Share this article

Sports blogger from Rotterdam / Voorburg, the Netherlands. Running, playing tennis and football on amateur basis. Graduated Public Administration at Erasmus University. 40 years of age. Fan of AZ, Feyenoord. Loves to watch Wimbledon and Roland Garros