Boudewijn Zenden

Boudewijn Zenden (born the August 15th 1976 with Maastricht, Netherlands -) is a Football or Dutch evolving/moving at the station of medium ground. International Dutch since the April 30th 1997 (54 selections, 7 goals), it did not play any more in national team since the season 2004 - 2005. Arrived at the end of the contract at Liverpool, it was recruited by the Olympique of Marseilles for the season 2007 - 2008.

Promising with the PSV, period with the Barça

The career of Zenden began with the Netherlands, more precisely with PSV Eindhoven. This left winger with the small gauge (1m72, 70 kg) impresses then by his precocity: into 18 years, it is already integrated in the standard team of PSV and plays its first match of cut of Europe as of the season 94-95. Its performances are worth quickly a first selection in to him national team into 97. After four full seasons with PSV and a World succeeded in France (one remembers its goal against Croatia at the time of the match for the 3rd place), Zenden succumbs to the sirens of large the FC Barcelona which recruits it for 6,8 million euros into 98. It is the “orange” time of the Barça which makes come at the same time as Zenden its compatriots Patrick Kluivert and Philip Cocu. In Spain, Zenden discovers the Ligue of the Champions but does not know the same success as in its native land.

Difficulties with Chelsea, Middlesbrough starts again it

After three seasons with Barcelona, it is transferred for 13 million euros to Chelsea FC. In England, Zenden tests difficulties of being essential in the collective of Chelsea FC. Its passage to London is not convincing, so that Zenden is lent in 2003 to Middlesbrough. There low, it re-examined. The English club definitively recruits it after a successful season, concluded by the victory in cut from the League thanks to a penalty decisive at 7 minutes from the end from the Netherlander. Zenden signs then for a renewable year. It confirms its excellent provisions with Middlesbrough. This return to the foreground attracts the eye of Liverpool FC which proposes to him a two year old contract at the end of the season 2004-2005. Zenden cannot refuse.

Wounds with repetition

But its first year with Liverpool FC is a true waste because the player is wounded seriously with the knee in November. Operated, it will not rejouera a season. One touches there at the weak point of Zenden, often prone to wounds throughout his career. Talented undoubtedly, but fragile too. Its second season at the Reds will be somewhat cut down in the direction where Zenden rebless with the same knee (but more slightly) and consequently Rafael Benitez the Spanish trainer of Liverpool FC makes it play practically only in Ligue of the Champions. However, Zenden becomes one of the pillars of the English device in C1. It takes an active part thus in the adventure of the Reds until the final lost against the Milan AC. The Batavian was titular besides with Athens, and this in spite of a wound with ankle persistent.

An aubaine for the OM

Arrived at the end of the contract, Zenden was finally left free by Liverpool FC in spite of its very good end of season. OM, in negotiation at Liverpool to recruit Djibril Cissé, then could get information about this player who always protested his desire for finishing his career in France. Zenden, married to a Frenchwoman, speaks indeed perfectly the language about Molière what enables him to be integrated more easily into a French-speaking manpower. Free, tested, general-purpose, speaking French, Zenden has the appearance of an ideal profile for the Olympian leaders. The Netherlander signed the July 6th 2007 a two year old contract with OM. The left side of the Marseilles attack will be probably reserved for him for the matches of Ligue of the Champions, even if Zenden can also evolve/move on the right as it in particular did it with FC Barcelona. Considered for its dribbles and its frightening left foot, the Marseilles supporters thus have the possibility of seeing it evolving/moving for 2 years with the Stade Cycle-racing track.

Prize list

1996 : Winner of the Cut of the Netherlands with.
1997 : Champion of the Netherlands with.
1998 : Finalist of the Cut of the Netherlands with.
1999 : Champion of Spain with.
2002 : Finalist of the Cut of England with.
2004 : Winner of the Cut of the League of England with.
2005 : Winner of the Supercoupe of the UEFA with.
2006 : Winner of the Community Shield with.
2007 : Finalist of the League of the champions with.

Career

Last update on November 28th, 2007

Sources

source of the article : lephoceen.fr
site of the om : * card of the player : footballdatabase.eu
international career : knvb.nl

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