“Since he was a little boy, it was all about playing in the Premier League,” says Niels Botman, Sven’s older brother. “It was the opportunity to finally make his dream a reality.”
Standing at 6 foot 4 inches tall, Sven Botman is showing how well one can adapt to the physicality that the English game possesses. His overall stature has supported him against the likes of Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney and Aleksandar Mitrović. Along with his great presence comes an astute reading of the game, with his positional play being something to admire and has shown he can be one of the best defenders Newcastle United have had in their ranks.
Since Eddie Howe and his coaching staff arrived on Tyneside, Newcastle's playing style has transformed into a far more positive approach, rather than the pragmatic one Newcastle fans had to watch under both Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce. The patterns of play start from the defensive line, and with a back four including Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Dan Burn and Sven Botman himself, there is faith that Newcastle can keep possession and build from their own half. Botman has been critical in this process and has shown how well he can hold onto the ball, as well play those diagonal passes to Newcastle's wide men. Looking as cool as Steve Mcqueen when the ball is played to those four individuals, it's been a while since a Newcastle team has had full faith in their defensive structure when carrying the ball, and Botman epitomizes how far this Newcastle team have come in their philosophy of play.
Certain performances have given Botman real status, the most recent coming in a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium against top of the league Arsenal. He was outstanding throughout the ninety plus minutes, ensuring Eddie Nketiah didn't produce in the final third. He showed all the right signs which could lead him into the future discussions alongside Virgil Van Dijk, John Terry, Tony Adams, Rio Ferdinand etc.
Not only is Sven Botman a player for now but also one for the future. Only 22 years old, this is a player who Newcastle can build their defence around for years to come. The next step for Botman is to achieve senior international recognition. He has been capped for the Netherlands from under-16s through to under-21s, even captaining the latter. Euro 2024 is the goal and with Ronald Koeman replacing Louis van Gaal as Head Coach after the World Cup last year, there is hope he will feature in Germany next year.
But for now Botman will only have eyes on one prize, and that is a successful season in the Black & White.
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