Keeper has release clause
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Former Schalke goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther from Feyenoord Rotterdam is on everyone’s lips in the Netherlands. The 28-year-old is one of the best in his field in the Eredivisie, has tripled his market value this season – and is actually only number two. However, that could now change. Wellenreuther has “tasted blood,” as he reveals in an interview with Transfermarkt.
Wellenreuther is currently out because regular goalkeeper Justin Bijlow (26) is missing for a longer period of time due to injury. Once again. Since Wellenreuther moved to Feyenoord for the 2022/23 season, he has had to help out 32 times, 18 times in the current season. Bijlow broke his wrist twice and is currently suffering from a calf injury. In the meantime, Wellenreuther has become the focus – or rather parried.
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In percentage terms, only Walter Benítez (31) from league leaders PSV Eindhoven has a better rate of clean sheets in the Eredivisie than Wellenreuther (to the statistics). The truth, however, is that teammate Bijlow is in third place in these statistics. Bijlow has long been considered the future in the Dutch goal, and he has been used eight times in the national team since 2021. With a market value of 15 million euros, he is the most valuable keeper the country has to offer (for an overview). At least still. Youngster Bart Verbruggen (21), who stands between the posts at Brighton & Hove Albion and plays for Oranje, is now at eye level.
Bijlow is worth five times as much as Wellenreuther, but voices are getting louder that the German should keep his regular place. So far, Wellenreuther has always had to go into the second row when Bijlow has returned from injury. In a survey on Transfermarkt’s Dutch Instagram channel, 91 percent of participants voted for Wellenreuther to stay in the Feyenoord goal. “I was really supported by the fans when I played last season, but now it’s even more so. I’m proud to have such a standing,” says the Karlsruhe native on the phone. It’s not easy having to slip into the role of backup again, “but I have to deal with it.”
He and Bijlow have a very good relationship with each other: “We are very collegial, almost friends. We speak openly to each other and have mutual respect.” When Wellenreuther is on the pitch, he doesn’t think about the fight for the goal: “I think from game to game and want to show performance. When I’m not playing, I look forward and try to train hard enough to get back in goal.”
Feyenoord’s Wellenreuther has “tasted blood”: wants to be number one
“Wellenreuther impresses with his good performances. Last season he played an important role in winning the championship, and currently his saves are even more convincing. Many believe he should stay in goal once Bijlow is fit again. For the Feyenoord fans it is a more difficult issue as Bijlow is a crowd favorite and was trained at youth level. Nevertheless, more and more of our own fans are calling for Wellenreuther as number one,” says Jesper Siereveld, Data Administrator NL at Transfermarkt, and adds: “Wellenreuther is a very complete, modern goalkeeper. But above all, his reflexes are fantastic. He’s also very good with the ball, which is important for Feyenoord’s style of play.”
Wellenreuther himself hopes that things will go even further for him. “I haven’t reached my peak yet,” he says. He feels good and has been fit for years. The keeper cannot yet answer what will happen next for him at Feyenoord. His contract runs until 2025 and, according to Transfermarkt information, Feyenoord has already positioned itself for talks about the future. In any case, the former DFB junior has “tasted blood” and wants to remain number one: “I don’t feel like always putting myself at the back.”
“As a goalkeeper you want to play, you’re not happy sitting on the bench. “I’ll now see how things go until the summer, then there will be a decision,” he announces. As our editorial team has learned, there is an exit clause in Wellenreuther’s contract – below his current market value. There is loose interest from the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A. “Wellenreuther is currently at its peak and could be a cost-effective option for clubs from the top 5 leagues,” says Netherlands expert Siereveld. A return to the Bundesliga appeals to the goalkeeper, “I don’t need to talk about it.” The Bundesliga is a big league, “but I’m not focused on it like hell.” He feels “very well looked after” at Feyenoord.
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