MEXICO
Feyenoord’s Arne Slot to speak to Santiago Giménez over “arrogance” with missed penalty
The Feyenoord coach said he will speak to Santiago Giménez over his weak performances and on-field arrogance.
Santiago Giménez has not been in form over recent weeks. Last week he failed to score in the defeat to Twente in the Eredivisie, Feyenoord’s first of the season. The negative streak continued the week later when he missed a penalty against Waalwijk, scooping a terrible chipped effort way over the bar.
In the aftermath of the game, Feyenoord coach Arne Slot revealed that he was set to have a meeting with the Mexican forward in order to put an end to the poor form of the marksman.
“A missed penalty is never a nice thing”, said Slot, “but if you miss one with the scoreboard not in your favour it simply isn’t worth anything. I think it’s good for people to have confidence in themselves, but you don’t have to exaggerate either. Self-confidence shouldn’t turn into arrogance”, he added, hinting at a potential attitude problem with Giménez.
Santi has “not been good in the last two games”, admits Slot
Despite the hint at an arrogance issue, Slot was quick to calm the situation: “I’m not annoyed”, he said about the player while also reminding the onlooking journalists that Giménez has been the key piece in his team ever since his arrival last year, “after the game I said that Santi has saved us plenty of times during the last year and a half as well as showing very good things.”
His form is an issue, however, and Slot recognise the fact, simply saying that he has “not been good in the last two games” and they “will have a conversation about it”.
Madrid and Barça linked with Giménez move
Given his form, the Mexican striker has been linked with top clubs around Europe over the past weeks and months, with LaLiga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona said to be interested in the 22-year-old born in Buenos Aires. The club from the capital do not have an elite forward, something Santiago is showing himself to be, while the Catalans will soon need a replacement/competition for their 35-year-old Robert Lewandowski.
Giménez and his club will be back in action this coming week as they take on Lazio in the UEFA Champions League group stage. The match day 4 game is key for the Dutch side, who sit on top of the group with 6 points. Atlético Madrid are on 5 and Lazio on 4, with Celtic at the foot of Group E with a single point after 3 games.