Player Focus: Versatile Sinkgraven on His Way to the Top with Heerenveen
When it comes to reinvention Heerenveen are the masters. Across the last decade they've become a model for those in the provinces, whenever it seems that after losing influential figures they are dead certainties to struggle, they defy.
Three simple and effective reasons stand out: scouting – a very good network at home and abroad – solid youth set-up and frugal business model. They don't stand still and nothing is left to chance. The latest off their conveyor belt of talent, destined for big things, is 19-year-old Daley Sinkgraven.
Emerging at the backend of last season, his rise to prominence began once Magnus Wolff Eikrem left for Cardiff City in January. Then manager Marco van Basten – impressed with his performances at youth level – promoted him and subsequently deployed the teenager in a wide range of positions, effectively as an understudy, filling in whenever a first-teamer was absent. In a short period he started to catch the eye – four assists in 15 games will do that – and the feeling was it wouldn't be long before he cemented a starting berth.
Initially it seemed that would come as a wide-forward on the left flank – one of the roles he undertook in his 'breakthrough campaign' – with Rajiv van La Parra heading to Wolves, but another departure meant plans changed further, and for the better. Dwight Lodeweges succeeded Van Basten as manager this summer, and did not hesitated to install Sinkgraven centrally once playmaker Hakim Ziyech completed his move to FC Twente. It is a role Sinkgraven is no stranger to; it's where he's most effective.
An unwavering desire to succeed, his steely determination is infectious, and can enable him to supersede his peers. A familiarity in the most popular modern formations (4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3) compliments his versatility, and as a wide-forward Sinkgraven's intelligence as well as his graft is put to good use. If deployed as a central midfielder he adjusts his game, displaying acute vision and speed of thought to pick out the right pass. Intelligent movement and awareness creates space for teammates, as he combines individual skill and playmaking with stamina to good effect. A strong runner and fleet-footed, he often transforms into a shadow striker in support of the lone forward.
"He can turn on a dime and sees everything. It's amazing," manager Lodeweges recently enthused. You can understand his excitement. Sinkgraven, a modern creative attacking midfielder, remains inconsistent but one admirable feature is his decision-making when under pressure. If things aren't going to plan (i.e. the manager's game plan), he's shown the wherewithal to think on his feet and find a different solution. It doesn't always work, but the bravery involved is commendable, especially as it's shown by a player at the beginning of his professional career.
Born in Assen, capital of the province of Drenthe, in 1995 – to former professional footballer and manager Harry Sinkgraven – he began his football journey at MVV Alcides before enrolling at Heerenveen's youth academy. Now a poster boy for their education system, continuing a fine tradition of producing/developing mercurial midfielders, he currently remains a future prospect. Eloquent and down-to-earth, the potential is there to one day be a mainstay in the Dutch national team (a fortnight ago he made his Netherlands under-21 debut), and could be of great value due to his energy and athleticism.
Sinkgraven possesses the verve and tactical understanding needed to succeed, and he has shown that already this season, where in half a dozen games he has effortlessly moved between defence (2.0 tackles and 1.0 interception per game) and attack (1.7 key passes and 1 goal from 5 total shots). His passing technique (40.7 per game with a success rate of 81.6%) is there for all to see. Little by little his reputation continues to grow.
Succeeding Davy Klaassen as 'Dutch Football Talent of the Year' is a real possibility, and while that would require a solid full campaign, it is not beyond him. Earlier this year he extended his contract, which now expires in 2017, but that hasn't ceased interest in him, most notably from Ajax. Nonetheless, his focus is in Friesland.
Ambitious is a more than suitable word to describe him – his dream is one day to play for Barcelona. The burden of responsibility at Heerenveen is something he has taken in his stride, showing maturity beyond his years, in the process becoming a popular figure in the dressing room and a crowd favourite, too. He is a vital cog – in a team seemingly going places – and that will no doubt accelerate his development. Currently their best performer (7.36) according to WhoScored.com, he couldn't be in a better environment, undertaking and experiencing a full season in the Eredivisie, and the knowledge gained will make him a better and more rounded player. The future is bright for Daley Sinkgraven.
How good do you think Sinkgraven has the potential to become? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
