Justin Bijlow is back on the pitch and aiming to reassert his place as Feyenoord’s first-choice goalkeeper as the club gears up for intense upcoming matches against FC Utrecht, Lille OSC, Bayern Munich, and Ajax. The 26-year-old, currently training under the Spanish sun, is optimistic about his return to form after grappling with injuries and the disappointment of a failed transfer to the Premier League club Southampton.
After spending time on the sidelines, Bijlow is eager to regain his status as one of the best goalkeepers in the Netherlands. "Ik voel me hartstikke goed. En ik lach veel," he reflects, showcasing his improved spirit following what has been a tumultuous year. Injuries sidelined him for much of the previous season, and he lost his starting spot at Feyenoord, but he is resolute about bouncing back. "Als ik wedstrijdritme heb, dan behoor ik tot de categorie van beste keepers van Nederland. Maar goed, dat kan ik wel zeggen, maar ik moet dat vooral laten zien in wedstrijden," Bijlow added, emphasizing the need to perform consistently on the field.
Bijlow’s path back hasn't been easy. The goalkeeper had to navigate the emotional fallout of his transfer deal falling through, which left him feeling dejected. “Mijn afscheid met de supporters was emotioneel en mooi. Daarna zinde ik op een nieuw hoofdstuk en dat viel opeens in duigen,” he recounted, illustrating the strain the situation placed on him personally. Despite the setback, Bijlow's focus remains on reclaiming his spot and helping Feyenoord ascend the rankings, where they currently sit fourth, ten points off pace from leaders PSV.
Now, as he prepares to face his next challenge—against FC Utrecht this coming Sunday—Bijlow finds himself competing closely with teammate Timon Wellenreuther. While he feels he deserves to be the first choice, he respects the competition, saying, "Met Wellenreuther heb ik een prima band, ik misgun niemand iets." This camaraderie speaks volumes about the team spirit at Feyenoord even amid personal rivalries for the starting position.
Though he acknowledges Wellenreuther’s merit, Bijlow is clear about his ambitions. With Bart Verbruggen and Mark Flekken rising as strong contenders for the Dutch national team, he understands the stakes are high. "Zij laten het nu zien, dus zij staan terecht in het Nederlands elftal en in de Premier League," he noted, alluding to the competition he faces even beyond the club level.
Looking back on his team’s performance, Bijlow remains realistic. "Wij mogen niet tevreden zijn. Er is ruimte voor verbetering, maar dat weten we zelf ook. Daar zijn we op trainingskamp ook mee bezig," he stated, pointing out the need for Feyenoord to regroup after disappointing results, including their 3-0 defeat to PSV at the end of December. He aims for the team to recommence the season strong, hoping to build momentum and climb the league table.
With his spirits lifted and determination renewed, Justin Bijlow stands poised for the second half of the season. His commitment to proving himself as one of the top goalkeepers not only reflects his personal aspirations but also symbolizes Feyenoord’s broader ambitions to emerge stronger as they navigate through tough fixtures. The upcoming weeks will be pivotal as Bijlow takes steps to solidify his role as the leading guardian for Feyenoord and vie for recognition on the national team.