ELJERo ELIA
DAVE BODYMORE looks at the career of the controversial Dutchman on loan at Southampton
The controversial new Saint
AFTER a semi-promising start to his Southampton career, there is hope that Eljero Elia could finally be ready to fulfil his potential under the guidance of Dutch legend Ronald Koeman.
When former Netherlands manager Leo Beenhakker coined the term ‘patatgeneratie’– the fries generation – Elia wasn’t even born.
However, before moving to St Mary’s on loan from Werder Bremen at the turn of the year, he was in danger of becoming the personification of the phrase that was used to describe those for whom everything came too easy.
Released by Ajax aged 15, when Beenhakker was the technical director, the route to the Premier League has been a bumpy one for the winger. The 28-year-old scored twice in his second start for Saints against Newcastle, but can he avoid following in the footsteps of controversial striker Mario Balotelli?
Elia’s ability is clear for all to see. His pace and skill first attracted attention at FC Twente where, under Steve McClaren, he scored nine goals in the 2008-09 season. Following a move to Hamburg, he made an impressive debut for the national team, with then coach Bert van Marwijk calling it “amazing”, adding “Elia really is a great player”.
He played in the 2010 World Cup final the following year, featuring as part of Holland’s front four for the final 50 minutes of the game. No-one could question his potential, but a move to Juventus proved difficult and Elia’s progress badly stalled.
The winger’s move to Italy came after he was fined by Hamburg for complaining about being mistreated after an ankle operation and how the team’s style didn’t suit him.
Elia then failed to endear himself with the Juve fans, saying “my style of play would be perfect for England” prior to joining the Italian side, with some feeling he didn’t see the move to be a step up. He made his debut against Catania, but was substituted at half-time, having found the tactical discipline required in Serie A hard to master.
Twitter outbursts earned the young Dutchman a lot of unwanted press, particularly after he tweeted ‘I hate Lucio #Inter he kick Stekelenburg in the face he have to get a red card I am really angry’ when compatriot Martin Stekelenburg was knocked unconscious by Inter’s Lucio.
When Antonio Conte abandoned 4-3-3, Elia’s hopes of success at Juventus were ended. With the wide forward role gone, he was again on the move, this time returning to Germany with Werder Bremen.
His second spell in Germany was largely undermined by his off-field antics, in particular a 3am car race with then team-mate Marko Arnautovic, now of Stoke, which Elia still disputes, but the club were not sympathetic towards.
This was the second speeding offence in his two-and-a-half seasons at the club, in which he had also sworn at a Bremen fan on Facebook and controversially tweeted the words ‘Ready for War’ prior to the derby game with Hamburg, Elia’s former club.
Before forcing Elia and Arnautovic to train on their own for the rest of the season, Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said:“We cannot tolerate such unprofessional conduct.”
Fortunately for the once highly rated winger, Ronald Koeman has a long memory.
Brushing off the best part of four years of underachievement will be difficult. However, it seems Koeman has plans for his new signing and, more importantly, belief in him.
After Elia’s brace against Newcastle, the Southampton boss said:“Sometimes I was asking myself the question ‘What happened to Elia?’. I think he needs the confidence of the coach. He also needs the position to get the best out of his qualities. He’s fast, he’s strong and he’s very sharp in and outside the box.”
Early evidence seems positive for Elia. His opinion that the Premier League may be the best place for him could yet be vindicated.