Casper Tengstedt at Feyenoord: Battling for Minutes and Rediscovering Form

Casper Tengstedt, the Danish striker who joined Feyenoord from Benfica last summer for a reported €6 million, has acknowledged considering a departure from the club due to limited playing time. Despite a promising goal-scoring record in short bursts, the 25-year-ancient is striving to secure a more consistent role within Robin van Persie’s squad.

Initial Struggles and Competition for Position

Tengstedt has scored five goals in 450 minutes of play for Feyenoord this season. Although, he has faced criticism for not consistently impacting matches. The forward admits he’s not satisfied with his current number of minutes, emphasizing that a striker’s primary role is to score goals and contribute to the team’s success. Competition for places, particularly with the form of Yuya Ueda, has presented a challenge.

“I’m not satisfied with the number of minutes I’ve played so far,” Tengstedt stated in an interview with ESPN. “The statistics are good. A striker’s job is to score goals. For me it is also important to score and help the team. But I would like more playing time. I train every day to get more playing time and indicate more of myself.”

Frustration and a Moment of Doubt

A particularly difficult moment for Tengstedt came during the away match against FC Utrecht, where Feyenoord surprisingly deployed Jakub Moder as a central striker despite Tengstedt having scored in the previous two games against Heracles and Real Betis. This decision left Tengstedt feeling overlooked.

“That was difficult to be honest. I didn’t expect it,” Tengstedt confessed. “I had scored two games in a row, against Heracles and Betis. I hoped and expected that I would be allowed to play. But that wasn’t the case. Perhaps I was even more surprised that I didn’t come in as a substitute. But that’s how it goes in football. I have to work harder to get more playing time. Luckily I got it last weekend and we got the three points.”

Van Persie’s Expectations and Tengstedt’s Response

Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie has previously indicated he expects more from his attackers than just goals, a message Tengstedt acknowledges. However, the Danish striker remains focused on his core role as a goalscorer.

“Yes, scoring is part of your job. You have to be good at many things. Every striker has something he can improve on, but for me scoring goals is the most important thing,” Tengstedt explained. He admitted to briefly contemplating a move away from the club, stating, “Maybe I was thinking about that a little bit, I want to play football. If you don’t play it’s difficult. I’m someone who wants to play. But I am also someone who does not give up easily. I work hard, I focus on myself and what I can improve. Then I hope I get more opportunities.”

Tengstedt’s Career Trajectory

Casper Tengstedt (born June 1, 2000) began his youth career at Viborg Søndermarken and Viborg FF before joining FC Midtjylland in 2015. He has since had loan spells at 1. FC Nürnberg II and Horsens, with a permanent move to Horsens in 2021. He then moved to Rosenborg in 2022, scoring 15 goals in 14 league matches before a transfer to Benfica in January 2023. After a period with Benfica B and limited appearances for the first team, he was loaned to Hellas Verona in 2024, where he scored seven goals in 26 matches. He ultimately joined Feyenoord in 2025. Wikipedia provides a detailed overview of his career.

Benfica Confirms Transfer

In July 2025, SL Benfica announced the permanent transfer of Tengstedt to Feyenoord. The transfer fee was reported as €6 million, with potential for an additional €1 million in bonuses, and Benfica also negotiated a sell-on percentage. Eternal Football detailed the move, noting Tengstedt’s unfulfilled potential during his time at the Estádio da Luz.

Tengstedt’s future at Feyenoord hinges on his ability to consistently contribute goals and earn the trust of Van Persie. His determination to succeed suggests he is prepared to fight for his place in the team.