Jordy Bos used to watch Feyenoord highlights. Now, at just 22 years old, he is one of the stars of the show. The Socceroos left-back is dominating for his boyhood club, playing under his former idol, and is just eight months away from potentially featuring in his first World Cup.
Bos, one of the pivotal pieces of the Socceroos’ future, is only just scratching the surface of his promising career. Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord, managed by former Arsenal, Manchester United, and Netherlands striker Robin van Persie, currently sit at the top of the Eredivisie table.
Since joining the Rotterdam giants in July, Bos has become the first Australian to win the Eredivisie Player of the Month award. He has also impressed fans by scoring two sublime goals. The former Melbourne City sensation is reaping the rewards of a carefully managed plan to develop his career and play regularly in Europe.
Even Bos admits he can’t believe how well things have gone since his transfer from Belgian club Westerlo, where he battled two bad hamstring injuries last year.
“When I first went there, I didn’t really know what to expect,” Bos said. “But obviously it’s a big club, so it’s always going to be hard. Before I got there, I heard that the left-back was a little bit injured so I got to play my first game for the Champions League qualifications. From there, it just kept going and then when the other left-back got back, I kept my spot a bit.”
Bos, a Melburnian of Dutch descent, comes from a family of Feyenoord fans.
“Living in Australia when I was younger, it was hard to watch the games, but I remember my dad would always put the highlights on and stuff, so we would watch that,” he said. “It’s a huge deal for my family as well. The ones that live in Holland, I think they were just as excited as I was when they heard about the news. So it’s crazy for them as well, and they always want to come watch the games and stuff like that. So it’s pretty unreal and playing for them is just an honour.”
Bos is also pinching himself that he gets to play under club great Robin van Persie.
“It’s really cool,” he said. “Watching him when I was younger as well and he’s such a big player and icon in the football world. And seeing him in real life and talking to him, and having him there, it’s pretty surreal. I really enjoy it.”
Currently, Bos has joined the Socceroos for upcoming matches against Canada in Montreal on Saturday and the United States in Colorado next Wednesday. These matches provide another chance for him to cement his starting left-back role, especially with stalwart Aziz Behich among the A-League players not selected in this squad.
With a strong World Cup on the horizon and continued impressive performances for both club and country, Bos knows more opportunities could come his way.
“Either Premier League or Bundesliga — probably one of those two,” he said when asked about his future ambitions. “But for right now, obviously, just focusing on where I am. But that’s probably the goal.”
https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-bos-living-the-dream-at-boyhood-club-c-20278623