Patrick van Aanholt
A marauding Dutch left-back whose powerful runs and thunderous strikes became a thrilling staple of the Premier League for nearly a decade.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Dutch footballer·Birthday: August 29·Millennials
Biography
Patrick van Aanholt brought a distinct brand of attacking fury to the left-back position. A product of Chelsea's academy, he found his true home in the Premier League after loan spells and a permanent move to Sunderland. There, and later at Crystal Palace, he redefined the role for his teams. Defensively capable, he was a constant outlet going forward, using his explosive pace to overlap and a famously powerful left foot to unleash spectacular goals from distance. His penchant for scoring crucial goals, including several dramatic winners, made him a cult hero at Selhurst Park. Van Aanholt's consistent performances earned him a place in the Netherlands national team, where he contributed to their run to the 2014 World Cup semifinals.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Patrick was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Patrick Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Patrick's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, though he was an unused substitute in the final.
- Represented the Netherlands at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where the team finished in third place.
- Scored over 20 Premier League goals as a defender, a rare feat highlighting his attacking impact.
- Played in over 150 Premier League matches for Crystal Palace, becoming a mainstay in their lineup for several seasons.
Did You Know?
He is of Dutch and Curaçaoan descent.
Van Aanholt scored a 90th-minute winner for Crystal Palace against champions Manchester City in December 2018.
He began his senior club career on loan to Coventry City, managed at the time by his former Chelsea reserve team coach, Aidy Boothroyd.
“If you give me space to run, I will punish you.”
