Rising Star: John Guidetti

“Super Guidetti, you make us happy, please score for Feyenoord” is the chant that has often echoed around De Kuip from the vociferious supporters of the Rotterdam based Feyenoord. With 20 goals and 6 assists to his name in 23 appearances it’s very easy to see why he has received such high acclaim from fans throughout the Dutch Eredivisie.

However what has really been surprising is when examining his style of play; admittedly from an armchair is that he is not the ruthlessly potent striker his stats may suggest which perhaps is a damning exposure of the defensive qualities (or lack of) of the teams that make up the top flight of Dutch football. Guidetti has shown on occasions an ability to play on the shoulder to get in behind to finish and also shown late aggressive movement to create goal scoring positions from crosses but the majority of his work is done in the classic No. 10 role where he demonstrates an ability to dribble, run with the ball and combine with team mates. Overall technically he looks more than adept in the Dutch league and would more than hold his own in the Premier League which the young Swede will be hoping to grace with his current parent club Manchester City.

His 6’2” yet stocky frame enables him to compete physically and hold up the ball to encourage movement off the ball from his team mates in the knowledge he is strong and possesses a good feel for the ball to look after possession. Then there is his footballing brain, a common denominator that seems to separate many players on the continent to our own English brand. Guidetti in the main as mentioned enjoys being able to drop off to receive at feet centrally, however does demonstrate he is prepared to drift wide to receive and play or make short well timed bursts behind defences and curved runs laterally across a defensive line; in summary his footballing brain compliments his physical strength and technical ability wonderfully.

Guidetti has a clear sense of self belief and confidence which are undoubted vital ingredients for any player wishing to make an established career in the game, standing and absorbing the adulation of fans in a Balotelliesque manner when scoring would perhaps lead you to believe he has a cocky demeanour – and you’d be thinking right as he confesses to have always been the “cocky little guy”; slightly ironic when seeing him shield the ball from opponents with his not so diminutive build.

Whilst his persona and clear talent have meant comparisons have understandably been drawn between himself and Swedish compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Guidetti’s upbringing has meant the 19 year old can draw on anecdotal experiences to cut a more humble character. Mike; his father of Italian descent worked on a Swedish schools project in Kenya where John lived. Having resided in a more affluent area where no one knew how to play football, he and his father looked for a team where his talent and enthusiasm would be allowed to flourish. Kibera is where they found it, a deprived area of the capital with dry, grassless and unforgiving pitches where he and the locals many of whom were advanced years would play barefoot, perhaps explaining his fearless manner and physical dominance. Guidetti reminisces at how his father would give the team bread, bananas and juice after a game and the team feeling as though they were professional footballers as other teams were not afforded such comparative luxery. Guidetti still displays a strong sense of humility towards his upbringing in Kenya as he has his own foundation to give “talented young people that share the passion for, and have special skills in football a bit more of a sporting chance to follow in his footsteps”. He returned to Kibera with equipment for his old team and has hopes to build an artificial pitch and school.

As for his own personal future Guidetti has stated he wants to play games as he needs first team exposure to strengthen his case for a place in Sweden’s Euro 2012 squad, who of course will be facing England in the group stages. A prolific season long loan at Feyenoord has done his enhanced his chances and reputation no end. He’s stated he wants to be a team’s number 9 or 10 and doesn’t want to return to the Etihad to admire from the dugout, however it’s hard to see him breaking in amongst the current plethora of talent and wealth the club have already at their disposal, such is the insistence on City to achieve instant success, the here and now far exceeds the clubs wish to introduce academy products to first team level.

Another loan is perhaps likely and from a personal subjective level English clubs are sure to have taken note. A team with the playing philosophy and emphasis on pressing to win the ball back like Swansea City would be an ideal loan for someone like Guidetti to showcase his talents in the Premier League if this is where he wishes to play. Particularly in the role that Gylfi Sigurdsson has excelled in who has reportedly attracted interest from teams in the upper echelons of the Premiership.