Hatchlings

"Good day my liege, why yes good sir, nothing like an old friend on a new day." You like? I certainly hope so I do try to exercise with my novel writing every now and again but you and I both know where my true passions lie. Speaking of old friends the not so old Hatchlings series is back to bring youth and zeal on the pitch which has been missing for a while but lets just say he was been in the reserves gaining some experience. For those who don't know what the egg inspired series is about I will tell you. Hatchlings is article dedicated to young and especially up and coming stars to the sport of the gods football. I will drop some facts, a nice pretty photo of the youngster and the odd random quote or freakishly large or bizarre word and or comment will be a feature. Well the last bit is always a feature of my work because the fact your reading this has meant I have fullfill my mission for the day and inch closer to my idea of heaven by helping my fellow man. With heaven clearly insight let me now pry open the gate and bribe Saint Peter for the look in.

Name: Ibrahim Afellay

D/O/H: 04/02/1986 (age 23)

Place of Hatching: Utrecht, Netherlands

Position: Midfielder (Central Attacking Midfielder/Right Winger)

Prefered Claw: Right

Height: 6'1 ft/inches

National Team: The Netherlands

Caps: 14

Club Teams: FC Utrecht (youth), Philips Sport Vereniging (PSV Eindhoven) (2003-present)

Let me start of by just saying that I shall be extremely bias when regarding to any footballer from this nation. If you know me personally you would know I have a thing for the Dutch or anything Dutch for that matter. Lets take a look at what Holland has given the world. Vincent Van Gogh I love art. Tulips who does not love that dirty joke and the flower is okay I guess. They legalized marijuana, the 15 year old in me is loving that so is a small fraction of my fans. In the same smoke laden breath they made prostitution legal as well, my morals and Christian way of thinking frowns but the potential hairy womanizer wants to run rampant. Footballers of great pedigree Seedorf, Koeman, Van Basten could go on really but I won't. Great Maritime achievement which is funny for a nation that is slowly being swallowed by water .Windmills, clogs, funny commercials a ton of people who's last name that have the prefix "van", in it and slavery.Yes the Dutch did started the slave trade simply apauling but who can stay mad at the Dutch I can't. Somewhere in that montage of Dutchery (yes that is a made up word I can do that because I did Mass Communications), there is something about great footballers. It is a fact The Netherlands have produced some terrific players and still do. Their assembly line seems endless and fresh from the factory is the young man in discussion, he is wearing orange so he must be good.

Father of a multitude or many nations is Ibrahim's meaning in Arabic, well young Afellay is very potent, in attack that is. Ibrahim Afellay was born on the 2nd of April 1986 in the religious heart of the Netherlands the city of Utrecht. Ibrahim is of Moroccan linage and grewing up in Utrecht did not need look far for a familiar face with the city having a massive Moroccan community. Ibrahim started playing football early and joined up with USV Elinkwijk which seems to be an extension of FC Utrecht. Afellay learned the tricks of the trade as a youngster in Utrecht but it was Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven who added the cherry on top. Ibrahim joined the club in 2003 and remains with them to this day currently amassing 99 appearances to this date netting 23 times. The young midfielder came to the club at 17 and made his debut against NAC Breda in a cup match in 2004. That season he only featured three times for the club. First seasons as to be expected was mostly rides on the PSV pine but titles would follow the little playmker because for playing for the powerhouse does has it advantages. Since the departure of key players such as Mark Van Bommel and Park Ji Sung and the willingness of PSV's coaches saw the arrival of Afellay as a mainstay in the starting eleven.

Internationally Ibrahim is a rookie to the scene with only the 14 senior call ups to his name for the "Oranje," but being of Moroccan descendant Afellay was spoilt for choice either the nation of his birth in Holland or his parents homeland Morocco. No offensive to the north African nation but the lights of Amsterdam burn brighter than those over Casablanca and I am not the only one who thinks so. Afellay is in agreement with me as well, knowing full well the Dutch can propell his dreams but also a tougher challenge to engage. In Morocco a spot is easily obtained on his part with all the respect to ancient empire. With the Oranje being his prefered meal the youngster has dazzled fans on the European and International stage with his quick feet. He got his first chance to do some dazzling was in 2008 in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovenia.

Excellent little player he is and very verstaile in midfield. A trait he definitely needs if he is going to suit up for the Benelux nation google that people. The Netherlands have been bless with great offensive players past and present competition the midfield especially tight, always been really so it is vital for Ibrahim to be well versed in most midfield positions. He has blinding speed a quality that is famed in Dutch ranks has a dribble or two and great vision. Very comfortable on the ball and technical, trademark Dutch behaviour so he is not the prototype but a very effective carbon copy of players past with a little extra with that Usain Bolt speed. It will be hard to become a Dutch great because of what has come before but Ibrahim remember the Dutch motto, "Ik Zal Handhaven," which means "I shall stand fast." So appropiate, I know you will Ibrahim. One more thing Double Dutch the skipping thing the Dutch inspired that as well along with Heineken love me brew.

Reptile