Bram van Polen hails Luciano Valente as Feyenoord’s key creative force
Luciano Valente’s ability to unlock defences is making a growing impression at Feyenoord. Former defender Bram van Polen has singled out the versatile midfielder as the most important player in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team at present, praising the quality, timing and simplicity of his passing.
Speaking on Goedemorgen Eredivisie, Van Polen said he finds himself hoping Feyenoord direct the ball towards Valente whenever they attack. The 22-year-old, he argued, can help the team escape pressure and turn possession into forward momentum with a pass that appears effortless but can change the shape of a match.
“Every time Feyenoord attack, I hope they play the ball to Valente,” Van Polen said. “That lad plays such lovely passes, and he makes it look so easy. As a team, you often get out from under pressure that way. I enjoy watching him so much.”
A pass that stood out against AZ
Van Polen highlighted Valente’s performance in Feyenoord’s 2-0 victory over AZ, using footage from the match to demonstrate why the midfielder’s vision has attracted attention. One particular pass caught his eye: a precise, low delivery through the centre that split the opposition’s defensive lines and gave Feyenoord a route into a dangerous area.
Van Polen described it as a possible pass of the weekend, adding that this was the kind of moment that made Valente especially enjoyable to watch. His praise was not based on a goal or an assist alone. Instead, it focused on the football intelligence behind the action: recognising a narrow opening, choosing the right weight of pass and executing it before the defence could recover.
That ability can be especially valuable against teams that press aggressively. A side under pressure often needs more than a safe sideways pass to regain control. A forward ball through the middle can bypass several opponents at once, allowing teammates to receive possession facing goal and giving the attack a chance to develop quickly.
How Valente’s passing compares with Joey Veerman
Van Polen also compared Valente’s passing range with that of Joey Veerman, who has returned to the Netherlands national team. He acknowledged that Veerman is capable of producing similarly ambitious passes, but pointed to a difference in how the two players tend to deliver them.
Veerman often looks to play over the opposition, using an aerial pass to reach a teammate beyond the defensive line. Valente’s highlighted ball against AZ, by contrast, travelled along the ground through the middle. That distinction matters because a low pass can arrive quickly and be easier for a teammate to control in stride, while also forcing defenders to react immediately to movement in front of them.
The comparison does not suggest that one style is better in every situation. Rather, it underlines the variety Valente can bring to Feyenoord’s build-up. His passing gives the team another way to progress the ball, particularly when opponents block the wings or try to funnel play into crowded areas.
Why the left wing suits him
Although Valente is a midfielder by trade, Van Polen believes he is particularly effective when given room to operate on the left wing. The position appears to offer him the freedom to drift inside, find pockets between the lines and choose whether to carry the ball or release a teammate.
That movement can make Feyenoord more difficult to defend. If Valente stays wide, he can stretch the opposition and create space for players in central areas. If he moves inside, he can become an additional playmaker and open the flank for an overlapping teammate. His awareness of when to occupy each space is a key part of the dynamism Van Polen sees in the team.
“He thrives on that freedom,” Van Polen said. “Valente knows exactly how to make use of it and where he needs to be at any given moment. The way he does that makes Feyenoord very dynamic. What he brings from the left is a real asset.”
For Feyenoord, that flexibility could prove important across a demanding season. Opponents may prepare to limit the team’s central creators, but a player who can move between the wing and midfield gives the coaching staff more options. Valente’s role can also change during a match, allowing Feyenoord to adjust their attacking shape without necessarily making a substitution.
Feyenoord’s win strengthens their position
Valente played the full 90 minutes against AZ, contributing to a 2-0 win despite not getting on the scoresheet. The result kept Feyenoord at the top of the standings, while his performance offered another reminder that influence in football is not measured only by goals and assists.
His ability to retain possession, find forward passing lanes and help the team move out of pressure can be just as significant. Those details may not always feature in a match report’s headline statistics, but they can shape the rhythm of a game and create the conditions for others to make the decisive contribution.
What to watch next: prediction for Valente
The next test will be whether Valente can maintain this level as Feyenoord face tougher opposition and the schedule becomes more demanding. A reasonable prediction is that he will continue to be used as a flexible attacking option, particularly from the left, where his freedom to drift and create appears to suit him. If he keeps producing line-breaking passes, opponents are likely to pay closer attention to his positioning—and that could create space for Feyenoord’s other attackers.
Feyenoord’s upcoming Champions League fixture against Como on 15 October 2026 will provide a different kind of challenge, with European opponents likely to test the team’s composure and movement. Valente’s passing could be valuable in that setting, especially if Feyenoord need to break through a compact defensive block or escape a high press.
Van Polen’s assessment reflects the growing excitement around a player whose influence extends beyond individual highlights. Valente offers vision, versatility and a calmness in possession that can help Feyenoord control difficult moments. If he continues to combine that creativity with intelligent movement on the left, he could remain one of the team’s most important players—and one of the most compelling footballers to watch in the Eredivisie.
