Feyenoord mercenaries: Sliti shines early, others struggle

While Excelsior is already suffering five consecutive Eredivisie defeats, the Feyenoord loanee Sliti, twenty years old, after seven rounds played has three goals and one assist to his name at his temporary club. He was loaned to Excelsior this summer after 28 matches for Feyenoord, in the hope of getting more playing minutes.

Loan overview of the top three clubs

5 min See us more often on Google: PSV, Feyenoord and Ajax again concluded the necessary outgoing loan deals last summer to be able to get their own players elsewhere and/or gain experience. makes now an interim balance and wonders how the loanees of the traditional top‑three clubs are performing at their temporary employers.

The seven players that Feyenoord has loaned out this season are now central to the analysis. With 28 matches for Feyenoord on the tally, Sliti arrived at Excelsior this summer.

Feyenoord loanees: successes and setbacks

Former Feyenoord coach Robin van Persie saw potential in the Jong the Oranje international, but with Anis Hadj Moussa ahead of him, the left‑footed player decided to look for playing minutes elsewhere this season. Sliti therefore got the chance to prove himself at Excelsior.

At Excelsior it did not take long for Sliti to break into the starting lineup. After seven Eredivisie rounds his tally was already three goals and one assist.

In recent weeks Excelsior's form has however slipped, with five consecutive defeats, including a 0‑9 loss to FC Twente. Sliti was substituted at halftime against the Tukkers and did not always reach his previous level in the subsequent matches.

The winger is only twenty years old and now has to give everything to turn the tide together with Excelsior. At Feyenoord, Sliti remains under contract until mid‑2029.

After a first part of this calendar year on loan at FC Dordrecht, where his uncle Dirk Kuyt was then coach, Plug may now, together with Sliti, showcase a whole season in the Eredivisie. The 21‑year‑old defender has meanwhile become indispensable in the squad of coach Ruben den Uil.

Plug has not missed a single minute for Excelsior this entire season. Therefore Feyenoord looks positively at his development, despite Excelsior's difficult situation.

In August Plug made it clear that Feyenoord's first team remains his dream. At Feyenoord he is still under contract for well over a year and a half, until mid‑2028.

After a fairly disappointing loan spell at Go Ahead Eagles last season, Willem II gives Slory a new chance this season to showcase himself at the highest level. The 21‑year‑old winger, who is regarded as a serious talent at Feyenoord, started the season erratically.

Last month he scored a fine goal against FC Utrecht, but had to watch the next two matches from the bench after a red card in a cup tie against Helmond Sport, where he made an undisciplined tackle. In other games his level fluctuates, while Willem II currently sits stiffly at the bottom of the Eredivisie.

For the Tricolores, it is hoped that Slory will show even more of his abilities.

After earlier spells at FC Dordrecht and Heracles Almelo, Fortuna Sittard is the third club that ‘t Zand rents from Feyenoord. Fortuna has secured a purchase option, the amount of which is unknown, which could mean the Rotterdammer may not return to De Kuip after this season.

A week and a half ago ‘t Zand committed a foul on Feyenoord keeper Tjark Ernst in the 86th minute, causing Fortuna to leave De Kuip with a point. Under coach Danny Buijs he is a starter and occasionally receives a tap on the finger, but Buijs has so far gotten the best out of him.

The eighteen‑year‑old Ouarghi, one of the biggest talents from the Feyenoord academy, is playing professionally for the first time this season and delivered three goals and four assists in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, despite FC Dordrecht being at the bottom of the competition. Last month he was named the biggest talent of the first period in the KKD.