When PSV played out a 1-1 draw against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, not many were aware that a Nigerian made his debut for the Dutch side in the game.
His name doesn’t sound Nigerian and it’s safe to say it’s why not many bothered about digging out more information about the then 17 year old Emmanuel van de Blaak. Now at the age of 18 more information are beginning to come out.
Although he represents the Dutch team at youth level, he is actually born to Nigerian parents in Lagos and still remains eligible for the senior national team of Nigeria but that will depend on his progress with the Dutch side.
The 18 year old who started off his career as a striker rose from JEKA in Breda to the youth team of Willem II and after around five years he moved to PSV starting off from the youth team Jong PSV.
When he made his debut, it was two years into his stay at the club and he is in the list of the youngest debutant in the history of the club behind the likes of Jetro Williams and Zakaria Bakkali among others following his debut at the age of 17 years and 9 months.
A serious knee injury almost derailed his rise at the club, but they rather showed their faith in him by handing him a new deal that runs till the summer of 2025. A move he said has made it imperative for him to repay the faith the club showed in him.
“I heard a crack and immediately knew that something was wrong. It was a tough period for me personally, but PSV helped me through it well. The contract extension during my injury was great. I felt really good. I now have to pay forward the trust that the club has given me”, van de Blaak said after his debut last year.
His international future will no doubt spark a tug of war if he succeed in stamping his authority in the first team of PSV. He is presently doing extremely well for the U21 of the club and has played in 16 games in all competitions this season.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
