Maarten Wijffels: Justin Bijlow’s return would not solve Feyenoord’s goalkeeper problem
Feyenoord’s goalkeeping debate has resurfaced after another difficult performance from Tjark Ernst, but football reporter Maarten Wijffels believes bringing Justin Bijlow back to Rotterdam would be the wrong response. Speaking on Voetbalpraat, Wijffels argued that Bijlow’s improved fortunes at Genoa show why a return to Feyenoord may not benefit either the goalkeeper or the club.
Ernst has faced growing scrutiny following Feyenoord’s 5-3 defeat to sc Heerenveen, a match in which the German goalkeeper again appeared uncertain. The result has intensified discussion among supporters about whether Feyenoord should make a change between the posts. But Wijffels cautioned against treating Bijlow as an easy solution to the team’s ongoing concerns.
Wijffels points to the pressure surrounding Feyenoord’s goalkeepers
According to Wijffels, criticism of Feyenoord’s goalkeepers has become a recurring feature of the club’s season. He suggested that the position is often surrounded by persistent debate, with one goalkeeper questioned for a particular weakness before attention shifts to another.
“There’s something with the goalkeepers at Feyenoord every year, isn’t there?” Wijffels said, describing a cycle in which criticism can become difficult for players to escape. His comments raise a broader question: are the club’s goalkeeping problems purely technical, or does the constant scrutiny also affect confidence and performance?
Wijffels used Bijlow’s recent spell in Italy as an example. The Dutch goalkeeper left Feyenoord last year and has since been able to play regularly for Genoa. In Wijffels’ view, the change of environment has helped Bijlow find consistency and put the recurring pressure of Rotterdam behind him.
“Is it a coincidence that he’s never injured any more? That’s no coincidence, is it?” Wijffels asked. He suggested that being away from the intense attention surrounding Feyenoord may have allowed Bijlow to focus on football and build rhythm through consecutive appearances.
Why a return to Rotterdam may not suit Bijlow
Bijlow’s situation has often prompted calls for him to return to Feyenoord, particularly when the club’s current goalkeeper comes under fire. Yet Wijffels strongly rejected that idea. Having watched Bijlow play in Italy, he believes the goalkeeper looks settled and is in the right environment to continue his development.
“People sometimes say he should go back to Feyenoord. Above all, he shouldn’t go back to Feyenoord,” Wijffels said. He described Bijlow’s move as a positive outcome, giving him the chance to establish himself through regular football rather than repeatedly confronting injury concerns and intense public debate.
For a goalkeeper, match rhythm can be especially important. Regular starts help build communication with defenders, sharpen decision-making and restore confidence after setbacks. A return to Feyenoord could offer familiarity, but it would also bring renewed expectations and immediate comparisons with Ernst. Wijffels’ argument is that Bijlow may be better served by continuing to develop away from that environment.
That does not necessarily mean Feyenoord’s goalkeeping situation is settled. Rather, it suggests the club must assess Ernst on his own performances and decide whether he can grow into the role, instead of assuming that a former first-choice goalkeeper is automatically the answer.
Ernst needs a defining performance, says Bakker
Wijffels’ colleague Rypke Bakker also weighed in on the debate. Bakker said Ernst needs a standout moment—a decisive save or a clean sheet that can help him gain confidence and demonstrate that he can handle the pressure of playing for Feyenoord.
He pointed to examples from previous goalkeeping discussions at the club. Timon Wellenreuther produced a significant save against Ajax, while Bijlow had memorable moments in the Champions League, including against Bayern Munich. Bakker’s point was not simply that Ernst must imitate those performances, but that goalkeepers often need a defining contribution to change the conversation around them.
A clean sheet could be particularly valuable after conceding five goals against Heerenveen. Still, the responsibility for a result cannot be placed on the goalkeeper alone. Defensive organisation, pressure on the ball and the protection offered by the midfield all influence how often a keeper is exposed. Feyenoord’s coaching staff will therefore need to evaluate the team’s overall defensive performance as well as Ernst’s individual decisions.
Feyenoord’s next decision could depend on confidence
For now, Ernst appears to retain the confidence of head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst. That backing may give the German goalkeeper an opportunity to respond, although his position could come under greater pressure if uncertainty continues after the international break. Feyenoord’s upcoming fixtures will offer an important test—not only for Ernst, but also for the defence in front of him.
The club faces a familiar challenge: how to support a goalkeeper through a difficult spell without allowing every mistake to become a referendum on his future. A clear decision from the coaching staff, consistent defensive partnerships and improved communication could all help restore stability. If Ernst produces a strong performance, the debate may ease. If not, calls for a change are likely to grow louder.
Wijffels’ central message, however, is that Bijlow’s success at Genoa should not be treated as a ready-made solution for Feyenoord. His regular appearances in Italy may be precisely what he needs to rebuild his career. For the Rotterdam club, the more immediate question is whether Ernst can turn criticism into confidence and deliver the kind of performance that changes the narrative.
As the football season progresses, the goalkeeper debate will remain one of Feyenoord’s key talking points. Any prediction about who will be first choice should be treated cautiously: Ernst still has the coach’s support, while Bijlow appears to be thriving in a different setting. The next few matches may reveal whether Feyenoord can stabilise its defence without reopening a chapter that, in Wijffels’ view, is better left in the past.
