Feyenoord forward Ayase Ueda “watches and learns from” Mexico striker Santi Giménez

Mexico forward Santi Giménez has hit the ground running with Feyenoord in the Eredivisie in the Netherlands, with his incredible start to the season leaving no doubt he is the first name on the team sheet in attack. Ayase Ueda, the former Cruz Azul striker’s main competition for a starting role, is well aware of the work he has to do to get into the team and is full of admiration for his teammate.

Ueda “learning” from Mexico attacker Giménez

Speaking to Dutch media outlet Voetbal International, the Japanese striker readily admits the Mexican is a step ahead of him, despite being almost three years younger. “I really respect Santiago a lot. He is the top scorer in the Eredivisie and scores all the time. Now I try to copy him, I pay attention to how he moves within Feyenoord’s style of play and how he tries to hurt the opposition.”

“Santiago can already do a lot of things that I still have to work on. I watch him a lot and try to learn from him. Can we also play together? I’m used to a playing in system with two strikers, that’s how we did it at Kashima Antlers, my first club. When I was at Cercle Bruges, I usually played as a second striker”, said the 25-year-old.

Giménez’s incredible scoring record for Feyenoord in 2023-24

Ueda, who has won 16 caps for Japan, arrived in Rotterdam in August but has yet to start a game for his new club in the league, although he did play from the off in the Champions League defeat to Atlético Madrid, when Giménez was suspended. The Japanese has scored one goal in seven appearances for Feyenoord, while the Mexico international has found the net 12 times in just eight league appearances in his second season in the Netherlands.