Sem Steijn looks back with satisfaction on his last season at FC Twente. The midfielder, who will play for Feyenoord next season, can hardly believe that he ended this season with 31 goals.
Steijn scored twice on Sunday in his last match for FC Twente, which lost 3-2 to AZ in the final of the play-offs. The midfielder concluded his period at the Enschede club with 56 goals in all competitions, of which he scored no fewer than 31 this season.
“That number is insane for a midfielder,” Steijn said on Sunday in the mixed zone of the AFAS Stadium. “I think I can look back on a great season. Although I would have preferred to end with a ticket for European football. Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be.”
Prior to the season, Steijn had set himself the goal of improving his goal tally from the year before (nineteen in all competitions). The midfielder had already reached that number at the beginning of February.
Steijn eventually finished the regular Eredivisie season with 24 goals, making him the Eredivisie’s top scorer. The Hague native himself had not expected it to go so well this season.
“I have certainly surprised myself this year,” said Steijn. “Of course I wanted to do better this year than last season. I was also a year further, so you can probably do things you could already do a little better. But I couldn’t have imagined this number in advance either.”
Should Steijn report to Zeist?
Steijn earned a transfer to Feyenoord with his good performances. The Rotterdam team broke their transfer record to enlist the midfielder. Steijn is happy that he can start working in Rotterdam-Zuid after the summer break.
“I’m looking forward to the period at Feyenoord. I forced myself to play there this year. We’ll see how many goals I can end up with there, although I’m sure I’ll score there too. But first I’m going on vacation, just getting away with the family.”
Steijn may have to postpone his vacation for a while. On Monday, the Dutch national team’s selection will be announced for the World Cup qualifying matches with Finland (June 7, away) and Malta (June 10, home). In addition, a training camp will take place at the KNVB Campus from May 28 to 30.
The internship is intended “for (potential) internationals who no longer have (international) club obligations”. Steijn seems to be a prominent candidate to be invited at least for the internship. “It would be nice, but I don’t know if I’ll be there. We’ll see.”