Julian Kwaaitaal scored high points as a right back in a PSV 1 practice match this summer. Nevertheless, the Eindhoven native is fully focused on a role as a wing attacker, where he can create quite a threat with his speed.
The 18-year-old rushes past Yorbe Vertessen on the outside. The Belgian passes the ball and Julian beats the goalkeeper in the short corner. His goal against FC Augsburg obviously counts as the highlight of his young football career. "Although my goal in the championship match against Ajax comes pretty close. We went behind in the 88th minute and seemed to be missing out on the national title, but at the very last minute I scored. In the end we won the penalty kick series. Those moments, that's what I became a football player for."
Julian did not score the championship goal as a right back, but as a wing attacker. The position where he usually plays. "If the coach asks me to, I'm always willing to play as a back. Originally, however, I am a striker." He liked the training camp with PSV 1. "The transition to defender made it extra tough, but I learned super much there."
Clean Jump & Deep
As a child, Julian could not only often be found on the football field. At least as often he was in the water, or rather, "Just a few feet above it. I was a skydiver and loved swimming. I got quite a few diplomas, but in the end I chose football," says the player of Young PSV.
Julian describes himself as a fast striker who creates a lot of threat with depth. "My teammates know they can always send me deep. That quality helps ensure that I also come out well as a back. If I had to choose a player from the A-selection that I learn a lot from, it would without a doubt be Johan Bakayoko. He always looks for the one-on-one and has a lot of threat. He combines that with efficiency, which makes him really stand out."
