PLAYER PROFILE | JESPER UNEKEN STILL COUNTS AS A CLASSIC STRIKER

A strong heading striker, who can hold the ball in possession and that works extremely hard for his team. It sounds like a description of Luuk de Jong, but this also describes the nineteen-year-old Jesper Uneken. At Jong PSV, Jesper weekly shows that the classic attacking leader still has a place in modern football.

The national champion of the U18 league, Jesper Uneken joined Jong PSV this season, where his first goal was accompanied by his first hattrick. "I already have the first match ball at home," the young striker laughs. He recently sat on the bench with the main squad during the away game against Ajax. "That was very special and even though I didn't play, it's one of the best matches of my career. The moment you go out for the warm-up and are whistled at by thousands is wonderful. Secretly I can only enjoy that."

PSV for as long as he can remember

The build-up to his first game with the first team began thirteen years ago. Nowadays, the PSV Academy starts with the U10, but it was very different in Jesper's time. "I was only playing at an amateur club for four months when I was scouted. Nowadays kids don't enter until they're ten, but back then I started at seven. So I can hardly remember anything from my time before PSV."

'We have the same profile: strong with the head, steady on the ball and very dangerous in the penalty area.'

Luuk de Jong type

At the Academy, the comparison with Luuk de Jong was quickly made. "From the age of thirteen I've been playing in the striker position and I've been hearing it passed by ever since. It's not very strange either, because if you put us side by side there are plenty of similarities. We have the same profile: strong with the head, steady on the ball and very dangerous in the penalty area. We also share the same perception. Sure, he is a lot further along. I would absolutely sign for a career like Luuk's." Yet Jesper can also name some differences. "I am a little more agile on the ball, but he is much better with using his body, which is something I still want to grow in by the way; the physical aspect."

Double digits

Coincidentally, Jesper is the son of former Young PSV coach Peter Uneken. The striker can therefore always ask him for good advice. "He watches my matches and always gives feedback on the points for improvement afterwards. He also tells me what went well and if I don't feel like it, that's fine too. He's not pushy at all", Jesper says.

The moment you go outside for the warm-up and are whistled at by thousands is wonderful. Secretly I can only enjoy that.'

Every now and then Jesper trains with PSV's first team, where he watches the strikers on duty closely. "The perfect touches of Luuk de Jong or the goal-orientation of Ricardo Pepi. I take it all with me to the games in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, where I want to have double figures when it comes to goals at the end of the season."