FC Utrecht coach Henk Fraser has chosen Kluivert as one of the three central defenders in the absence of Mike van der Hoorn (injured) and Mark van der Maarel (absent due to the birth of his son). Ruben Kluivert previously came in twice for the main force and has 39 matches for Jong FC Utrecht in the Kitchen Champion Division to his name. The defender is the third in the family to play football in the Eredivisie after father Patrick, who played a total of 86 Eredivisie matches for Ajax and PSV, in which he scored 42 times, and brother Justin, who played 44 Eredivisie matches on behalf of Ajax, in which he scored 12 goals. made.
Ruben Kluivert was scouted by FC Utrecht four years ago at top amateur club AFC. ,,I had never really been in the picture at a professional club until then and I had to wait a long time for an opportunity. I am also the only defender in the family. Not only my father Patrick and brother Justin are attackers, but also my older brother Quincy, who played in the youth at Ajax (and was still active at Jong Vitesse, ed.). As a little boy I always played football with my brothers, so I often had to chase the ball. In this way I have become more of a defender, while they were always real attackers,” said Ruben Kluivert earlier this summer.
Good development
In the run-up to the duel with FC Emmen, FC Utrecht coach Henk Fraser indicated that he was satisfied with what Kluivert had shown in the preparation. “He is making good progress. He is potentially a very decent player considering his speed and strength. He has the point of improvement in terms of concentration and focus. In visualizing matches, so that you make fewer mistakes as the level of matches increases. He is doing well with that. If that works out, in combination with the qualities he has, Ruben is definitely someone to be reckoned with,” said Fraser. Incidentally, Ruben Kluivert has a younger half-brother, Shane, who is active in the FC Barcelona youth academy.
At Utrecht it is also a special evening for Can Bozdogan, he has a basic place for the first time, just like Kluivert.