Eredivisie 2026/27 season preview
Will PSV dominate again? Will Ajax reestablish themselves at the top of the table? Will NEC be able to replicate last season? Who are this season’s surprise package? Who goes down?
Last season belonged to PSV.
The Eindhoven side stormed clear and coasted to a third consecutive title and their 27th overall, finishing with a commanding 84 points and 101 goals scored, sealing the championship as early as April.
Feyenoord finished a distant second, while NEC Nijmegen produced a club-record third-place finish to earn a Champions League qualifying spot.
Ajax endured a frustrating campaign that left them fifth and scrambling into the European play-offs.
At the bottom, Heracles, NAC Breda and Volendam all dropped out of the top flight and have been replaced by Den Haag, Cambuur and Willem II .
The 2026/27 got underway last weekend when KNVB Beker winners AZ thrashed PSV 4-0 to win the Johan Cruyff Schaal. The league campaign begins on Friday evening when Cambuur host Excelsior.
Will PSV dominate again? Will Ajax reestablish themselves at the top of the table? Will NEC be able to replicate last season? Who are this season’s surprise package? Who goes down? Who are the players to keep an eye on?
Here’s a breakdown of all 18 teams…
AJAX
Last season: 5th
Manager: Michel
Transfers in:
Marcos Leonardo (ST) - [Al Hilal] - €19.9M
Caio Henrique (LB) - [Monaco] - €10.5M
Daley Blind (CB) - [Girona] - Free
Julian Brandt (AM) - [Dortmund] - Free
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK) - [Barcelona] - Loan
Tolu Arokodare (ST) - [Wolves] - Loan
Transfers out:
Sean Steur (CM) - [Newcastle] - €23.5M
Chuba Akpom (AM/ST) - [Ipswich] - €9.3M
Sivert Mannsverk (CM) - [Sparta Prague] - €2.5M
Kian Fitz-Jim (CM) - [Torino] - €2.5M
Skye Vink (AM/ST) - [Cambuur] - Undisclosed
Wout Weghorst (ST) - [Twente] - Free
Branco van den Boomen (CM) - [Angers] - Free
Lucas Jetten (LB) - [Cambuur] - Free
Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - Released
Takehiro Tomiyasu (CB/RB) - Released
Gerald Alders (RB) - [Telstar] - Loan
Ryan van de Pavert (RB) - Loan
It’s all change at Ajax. New Technical Director Jordi Cruyff has appointed former Girona manager Michel as Head Coach and the Amsterdam club have approached a much needed rebuild in an aggressive manner. It’s early days but the signs are there that Cruyff is going to be ruthless in his attempt to take Ajax back to the top of the table.
Ajax managed to get a top fee off of Newcastle for Sean Steur. They’ve informed PSG that they are ready to deal and sell Mika Godts, but only on their terms - reported to be upwards of €40M. Anton Gaaei has been expected to join Frankfurt, but again Ajax want their asking price before they’ll sanction a deal. They’ve also received the obligated fee from Ipswich for Chuba Akpom as well as shifting the likes of Kian Fitz-Jim, Sivert Mannsverk, Branco van den Boomen and Wout Weghorst.
My feeling is that there’s still a lot of movement out to happen. I’m especially interested to see what happens with Dies Janse and Ahmetcan Kaplan who both showed with Groningen and NEC Nijmegen respectively that they credible top end Eredivisie players. Janse was heavily linked with Club Brugge earlier in the window and Kaplan’s name has been attached with a host of Turkish sides.
The early Cruyff/Michel era incomings shine a light on Ajax’s ambitions. Marc-Andre ter Stegen comes in as new #1 goalkeeper on a season’s loan from Barcelona. Michel had the German stopper with him at Girona last season. He’s joined by another former member of De Mannschaft in Julian Brandt who arrives on a free transfer from Dortmund. Daley Blind is back for another stint tone setting stint in Amsterdam. Maybe most exciting is the arrival of two Brazilian’s - peak age Caio Henrique, signed from Monaco will surely be a giant upgrade at left back and 23-year-old former Benfica striker Marcos Leonardo joins after a couple of seasons in Saudi Arabia. Ajax’s 6th signing of the window to date is the loan of giant Nigerian Tolu Arokodare who comes in from Wolves where his time has been blighted by negative stories about his attitude. If Ajax can get him happy and enjoying his football his time in Belgian football coupled with his physical profile suggests he could flourish in the Netherlands.
I’m expecting more additions to follow. The question is whether Ajax’s squad churn will be enough (or too much) to jump from a 5th place finish to title winners.
It wouldn’t be an Ajax preview without shining a light on an up and coming prospect. Ajax have a number of them. Aaron Bouwman and Jorthy Mokio are already established members of the first team squad and are destined for big things. They could be joined this season by 16-year-old central midfielder Mohamed Abdalla. Abdalla announced himself to the senior squad at the end of July by scoring versus Vojvodina in the Conference League qualifying rounds. As you’d expect with a teenager he still has to fill out into his gangly frame. His technical level is already at a good level and he oozes composure on the ball. Expect him to see more Conference League gametime and some Eredivisie cameos.
AZ ALKMAAR
Last season: 7th
Manager: Leeroy Echteld
Transfers in:
Andrea Natali (CB) - [Leverkusen] - €2.25M
Sam de Grand (LB) - [Lommel] - €1.5M
Jari De Busser (GK) - [Go Ahead Eagles] - Undisclosed
Calvin Stengs (AM/RW) - [Feyenoord] - Free
Abdelnour Soualhia (CB) - [Le Puy] - Free
Jeraldino Bergraaf (ST) - [Exclesior] - Loan
Transfers out:
Sven Mijnans (AM) - [PSV] - €13M
Kristijan Belic (CM) - [Maccabi Tel Aviv] - €1.3M
Zico Buurmeester (CM) - [Leganes] - €1M
Finn Stam (CB) - [Willem II] - Undisclosed
Sem Westerveld (GK) - [Real Zaragoza] - Free
Abdelnour Soualhia (CB) - [Telstar] - Loan
Leequincio Zeefuik (ST) - [Fortuna Sittard] - Loan
Kasper Boogard (CM) - [Willem II] - Loan
Daniel Deen (GK) - Released
As has become the norm, AZ go into the new season with a team packed of talent and potential, flair and vibrancy. But, without the confidence that they can challenge right at the top. However, this team should keep the Big 3 of Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV honest.
Commenting on the incoming transfers. Jari De Busser has been one of the steadiest glove holder in the league over the past couple of season’s with Go Ahead Eagles. He’s an upgrade on Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro. Calvin Stengs is freed from his Feyenoord contract enabling him to make a homecoming on a 1-year contract. He’s had severe injury issues and doesn’t look to have retained all of his ability but he will have been signed with those concerns known and may have more of a standard setter type role. Sam de Grand and Andrea Natali could be more for the future rather than expected to make an immediate impact. Abdelnour Soualhia is a curious one. 24-years old and plucked from the lower leagues in France on a free transfer. He’s been sent out to Telstar on loan for this season.
Wouter Goes is the big player at the back. His aggressive nature is both his biggest strength and his biggest shortcoming. If he can learn to channel his force then he can make an upwards move from AZ, but until he learns to manage his discipline teams will continue to target his petulance. Jordy Clasie had an injury affected last season. AZ missed his leadership and control. Peer Koopmeiners is the subject of heavy transfer speculation - in somewhat unlike AZ fashion there doesn’t look to be an obvious contingency for his departure already in the squad. Central midfield is an area they could look to improve before the transfer window ends.
In attacking areas they are stacked with options. They are likely to lose at least one, maybe two forward players over the next few weeks. Troy Parrott is the most obvious sale, but AZ needn’t be too concerned as not only do they have Mexx Meerdink and Jizz Hornkamp ready to deputise but tall Hungarian Bendeguz Kovacs has completed his time with the Jong side and is primed to take a step forward this season. The AZ conveyor belt of talent continues to loop.
I’m also looking for Ayoub Oufkir to kick on this season. He was signed from Sparta Rotterdam in January and should be fully bedded in by now.
CAMBUUR
Last season: Promoted from Eerste Divisie (2nd)
Manager: Henk de Jong
Transfers in:
Ilyes Hammache (LW) - [Schalke] - Undisclosed
Skye Vink (AM/ST) - [Ajax] - Undisclosed
Morgan Costarelli (LB) - [Lille] - Free
Lucas Jetten (LB) - [Ajax] - Free
Rafik El Arguioui (AM) - [Utrecht] - Loan
Ryan van de Pavert (RB) - [Ajax] - Loan
Transfers out:
Jort van de Sande (ST) - [Bali United] - Undisclosed
Bram Marsman (LB) - [Roda JC] - Undisclosed
Remco Balk (RW) - [Bali United] - Free
Kian Visser (ST) - [TPS] - Free
Toni Jonker (CB) - [Noordbergum] - Free
Mark Diemers (CM) - Released
Tony Rolke (AM) - Released
Diyae Jermoumi (RB) - Released
Cambuur’s approach to squad building post promotion has been to recruit from the Jong team of Ajax with the permanent signings of left back Lucas Jetten and second striker Skye Vink as well as the loan addition of right back Ryan van de Pavert. They are also expected to bring in 18-year-old striker Sami Bouhoudane from Jong PSV and have loaned Rafik El Arguioui who up to now has featured mostly for Jong Utrecht. It’s a high ceiling, low floor strategy and it’s difficult to get a handle until we see the team out on the pitch. In truth my expectation level is low.
One undeniable positive about Cambuur is that, to now, they have managed to keep hold of their gem, Moroccan international centre back Ismael Baouf. If there’s a reason to watch Cambuur this season it’s him and I’m convinced he’ll be transferring out on an upwards trajectory soon enough.
DEN HAAG
Last season: Promoted from Eerste Divisie (1st)
Manager: Robin Peter
Transfers in:
Niclas Thiede (GK) - [Bochum] - Undisclosed
Jan Zamburek (CM) - [Heracles] - Undisclosed
Donat Barany (ST) - [Debrecen] - Undiscloed
Lasse Wilhelm (CB) - [Saarbrucken] - Free
Yannick Eduardo (ST) - [Hoffenheim] - Loan
Transfers out:
Jari Vlak (CM) - [Castellon] - €600K
Diogo Tomas (CB) - [AIK] - Free
Antoine Lejoly (GK) - [KAS Eupen] - Free
Taneli Hamalainen (CB) - [KuPS] - Free
Steven van der Sloot (RB) - [Fortuna Dusseldorf] - Free
Mees Kreekels (RB) - Released
Devyn Payne (CB) - Released
Joey Brandt (CM) - Released
Lorenzo Maasland (LW) - Released
Den Haag won the Eerste Divisie last season scoring 90 goals in the process. It bodes well for them that their threat is spread across a host of players. Lars Reischl (10g2a), Jesse Bal (8g4a), Evan Rottier (8g7a), Daryl van Mieghem (7g8a), Cameron Peupion (7g2a) and Pascal Mulder (5g2a) provided output from all over the pitch and are joined by Yannick Eduardo, on loan from Hoffenheim and Donat Barany who joins from Debrecen. Eduardo spent last season with Dordrecht and ended the season with 12 goals and 5 assists. Barany was the 4th top scorer in Hungary with 12 goals.
They have suffered a few key losses over summer. Midfielder Jari Vlak has joined Castellon off the back of 11 goals and 6 assists. He’s replaced by Czech Jan Zamburek who has top flight experience with Heracles. Attack minded right back Steven van der Sloot who scored 8 goals and provided 2 assists has joined Fortuna Dusseldorf. And unconventional but solid centre back Diogo Tomas leaves for AIK.
Keep an eye out for ball distributing Burkina Faso international goalkeeper Kilian Nikiema who looks ready to make a leap and is entering the final year of his contract.
39-year-old German manager Robin Peter has a Red Bull coaching background. His football preference is, predictably, high press, high intensity. His most used shape with Den Haag has been a 4-4-2 diamond.
There’s plenty of reason to believe that Den Haag can continue to score goals this season and that should be enough to not be involved in a relegation battle. They also conceded the least amount of goals in the Eerste Divisie last season - how much they achieve this season could depend on how impacted their defensive numbers are.
EXCELSIOR
Last season: 13th
Manager: Ruben den Uil
Transfers in:
Daniel Van Vianen (CM) - [Dordrecht] - €475K
Yacqub Finey (AM) [GIF Sundsvall] - €185K
Ilano Silva Tomas (LW) - [MVV Masstricht] - Undisclosed
David Garden (ST) - [Quick Boys] - Undisclosed
Valentin Sulzbacher (CM) - [Red Bull Salzburg] - Undisclosed
Osman Turay (LB) - [Leverkusen] - Undisclosed
Celton Biai (GK) - [Dordrecht] - Free
Marlon van de Wetering (RB) - [FC Eindhoven] - Free
Kasey Bos (LB) - [Mainz] - Loan
Jan Plug (CB) - [Feyenoord] - Loan
Aymen Sliti (LW) - [Feyenoord] - Loan
Transfers out:
Derensili Sanches Fernandes (RW) - [Huddersfield] - €1M
Adam Carlen (CM) - [Artis Brno] - Undisclosed
Ilias Bronkhorst (RB) - [Huddersfield] - Free
Emil Hansson (LW) - [Real Zaragoza] - Free
Arthur Zagre (LB) - [Utrecht] - Free
Calvin Raatsie (GK) - [Dordrecht] - Free
Jerolldino Bergraaf (ST) - [AZ Alkmaar] - Loan
Hamdi Akujobi (RB) - Released
Mike van Duinen (ST) - Released
Excelsior have suffered some significant losses this summer. Their two high performing full backs from last season Ilias Bronkhorst and Arthur Zagre have departed for Huddersfield and Utrecht respectively. Dynamic winger Derensili Sanches Fernandes whose end of season form played a critical part in them escaping relegation has also joined Huddersfield.
The incomings have been plentiful and wide varied with Valentin Sulzbacher and Osman Turay joining from established clubs Red Bull Salzburg and Leverkusen whilst David Garden signed from Dutch amateur team Quick Boys.
Aussie left back Kasey Bos comes in on loan from Mainz and Feyenoord trust their city neighbor’s with the development of Jan Plug and Aymen Sliti. It’s testament of manager Ruben den Uil that’s he’s trusted with these types and Excelsior themselves buy heavily into developing talent - not one outfield player in their squad is over the age of 25!
No doubt they’ll be plenty of scouts eyes on Excelsior matches this season and it’ll come as no surprise to regular readers that I expect them to be drawn to Casper Widell. The powerful Swedish centre back heads into the final year of his contract and will be on many a team’s radar.
Excelsior look short in attack which makes the loan of powerful youngster Jeralldino Bergraaf to AZ (where he’ll play for the Jong team) feel peculiar. If Den Uil can escape relegation for a second season it’ll be a success and it wouldn’t surprise me if the manager puts himself in the minds of other progressive clubs.
FEYENOORD
Last season: 2nd
Manager: Giovanni Van Bronkhorst
Transfers in:
Nacho Ferri (ST) - [Westerlo] - €9M
Charles Vanhoutte (CM) - [Nice] - €5.5M
Tjark Ernst (GK) - [Hertha Berlin] - €5.5M
Mika Marmol (CB/LB) - [Las Palmas] - Free
Transfers out:
Leo Sauer (LW/AM) - [Stuttgart] - €15M
In-beom Hwang (CM) - [Porto] - €4.5M
Ramiz Zerrouki (CM) - [Twente] - €2.25M
Jeyland Mitchell (CB) - [Strum Graz] - €1.8M
Timon Wellenreuther (GK) - [Wolfsburg] - €1M
Plamen Andreev (GK) - [Debrecen} - €500K
Chris-Kevin Nadje (AM) - [KAS Eupen] - €250K
Calvin Stengs (AM/RW) - [AZ Alkmaar] - Free
Shiloh t’Zand (AM) - [Fortuna Sittard] - Loan
Jan Plug (CB) - [Excelsior] - Loan
Jaden Slory (RW) - [Willem II] - Loan
Aymen Sliti (LW) - [Excelsior] - Loan
Gernot Trauner (CB) - Released
Raheem Sterling (WG/ST) - Released
Robin van Persie has left Feyenoord after an underwhelming time as manager. He’s replaced by the returning Giovanni van Bronkhorst. There’s lot of question marks about the Rotterdammers this season with some squad development still to take place.
Winger Leo Sauer has left for Stuttgart and central midfielder In-beom Hwang has joined Porto. Also expected to leave are Givairo Reed, Anis Hadj Moussa and Ayase Ueda. Reed and Hadj Moussa will be difficult to replace, but in my opinion Ueda isn’t a loss they should be afraid of. In fact I think Ueda is emblematic of Feyenoord’s issues last season. Yes he top scored in the league but a closer inspection of his numbers shows the Japanese forward to be a flat track bully. His goals last season came in matches versus NAC Breda, Excelsior, Sparta Rotterdam (2), Fortuna Sittard, Groningen, Utrecht (2), Heracles (3), Volendam (2), Telstar, PEC Zwolle (4), NAC Breda (2), Excelsior (2), NEC Nijmegen and Gronignen (2). That’s only 6 goals versus top half teams. 16 goals came versus the bottom 6 - 3 of those were teams newly promoted from the Eerste Divisie. 1 goal in 6 Europa League matches adds further weight to my point. Ueda is a red flag player for buyers in my opinion.
Gijvai Zechiel is another player that Feyenoord have to decide what to do with. He was a standout for Utrecht last season. Feyenoord have the option of integrating him into their team or flipping him for more transfer funds. The business they’ve done so far appears solid. Tjark Ernst arrives as a new goalkeeper from Hertha Berlin. Mika Marmol arrives on a free from Las Palmas, he can play centre back or left back and looks to be an astute pick up. Charles Vanhoutte comes in from Nice and target man Nacho Ferri from Westerlo already placates any Ueda sale.
As it stands, increased Feyenoord positivity depends on transfer business, but with them depending on sales first I think Ajax may have already stole a march on them in the battle to compete with PSV.
FORTUNA SITTARD
Last season: 11th
Manager: Danny Buijs
Transfers in:
Nick de Groot (LB) - [Den Bosch] - €250K
Siebe Wylin (RB) - [Club Brugge] - Free
Sven Simons (CM) - [FC Eindhoven] - Free
Ole Romeny (ST) - [Oxford] - Loan
Shiloh t’Zand (AM) - [Feyenoord] - Loan
Anthony Descotte (ST) - [Charleroi] - Loan
Leequincio Zeefuik (ST) - [AZ Alkmaar] - Loan
Transfers out:
Nick Marsman (GK) - [Go Ahead Eagles] - Free
Paul Gladon (ST) - [NAC Breda] - Free
Kaj Sierhuis (ST) - [NEC Nijmegen] - Free
Shawn Adewoye (CB) - [Fortuna Sittard] - Free
Hasip Korkmazeurek (CM) - [Ispartaspor] - Free
Tristan Schenkhuizen (CM) - [VVV Venlo] - Free
Alen Halilovic (AM) - Released
Daley Sinkgraven (LB) - Released
Samuel Basitan (CM) - Released
Onur Demir (ST) - Released
Niels Martens (GK) - Released
Ramazan Bayram (GK) - Released
Luka Tungic (AM) - Released
I’ve mentioned this in previous bulletins, but there’s something about Fortuna Sittard that doesn’t get my juices flowing. There the team I’ve watched least and therefore a bit of a blind spot for me.
I will however be watching them more closely this season and that because I’m fascinated by the signing of Leequincio Zeefuik on loan from AZ. I think Zeefuik could be anything. His physical profile is outstanding. His goal record less so. But a 24/25 loan at OH Leuven followed by half a season bench warming at AZ before a second half of the season loan at as good as already relegated Heracles doesn’t feel like the best of spots for a young striker to hone their craft. This is a no excuse move for Zeefuik. If he’s not starting ahead of Ole Romeny and Anthony Descotte then he probably isn’t gonna become the player I think he can. I’m hoping for lots of minutes and to either be really excited about him this time next year or to have him out to the back of my mind.
GO AHEAD EAGLES
Last season: 12th
Manager: Joseph Oosting
Transfers in:
Erik Flataker (ST) - [AIK] - €1M
Tomas Galvez (LB) - [Manchester City] - €500K
Nick Marsman (GK) - [Fortuna Sittard] - Free
Kjetil Haug (GK) - [Toulouse] - Free
Transfers out:
Milan Smit (ST) - [Stoke] - €5.5M
Jacob Breum (AM) -[St.Etienne] - €2.2M
Aske Adelgaard (LB) - [Twente] - €2M
Jari De Busser (GK) - [AZ Alkmaar] - Undisclosed
Finn Stockers (ST) - [RKC Waalwijk] - Free
Luca Everink (RB) - [Emmen] - Free
Xander Blomme (CM) - [FC Eindhoven] - Free
Sven Jansen (GK) - [TOP Oss] - Free
Luca Plogmann (GK) - Released
Go Ahead have a new manager at the helm in Joseph Oosting who was sacked by Twente after a shocking start to last season. It all feels a bit flat in Deventer after being spoiled by a cup run and Europa League campaign. Most of the clubs sellable assets have departed and it’s now up to the new crop to keep the churn going.
It won’t be easy. For a start they’ve lost star keeper Jari De Busser to AZ. Kjetil Haug joins from Toulouse to replace him but he has big gloves to fill. Tomas Galvez joins from Manchester City. The 21-year old left back has spent the past two seasons on loan at Cambuur. Norwegian striker Erik Flataker arrives from AIK Stockholm giving the GAE frontline an even more Scandinavian feel.
This is a reset season for Go Ahead and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.
GRONINGEN
Last season: 9th
Manager: Dick Luccien
Transfers in:
Nikolas Brandis (LB) - [Trencin] - Undisclosed
Travis Hernes (CM) - [Newcastle] - Undisclosed
Alvin Nordin (CM) - [Helsingborgs] - Undisclosed
Malcolm Jeng (CB) - [Reims] - Loan
Tygo Land (CM) - [PSV] - Loan
Pelle Clement (CM) - [Sparta Rotterdam] - Free
Rijk Janse (GK) - [NEC Nijmegen] - Free
Transfers out:
Romano Postema (ST) - [Viking] - €800K
Thijs Oosting (AM) - [PEC Zwolle] - €750K
Marvin Peersman (LB) - [Telstar] - Free
Mats Seuntjens (AM) - [NAC Breda] - Free
Hidde Jurjus (GK) - [Volendam] - Free
Rui Mendes (RW) - [Telstar] - Free
Dirk Baron (GK) - [Emmen] - Free
Fofin Turay (LW) - Released
Groningen missed out on mega money in January when Stije Resink fell foul of injury when on the cusp of a transfer to Benfica. Not only did they lose out on a potential sale but Groningen’s form also dipped when the talismanic midfielder hit the sidelines. Resink isn’t expected back for a while yet and we already know Groningen are weaker without him.
The stellar defensive duo of Thijmen Blokzijl and Dies Janse have also been broken up now that Janse has returned to Ajax following his loan. Blokzijl’s future must also be up for questioning. The 21-year old has been made captain ahead of the season starting, but he’s into the final year of his contract. He’ll have suitors and Groningen run the risk of losing him for nothing if they don’t deal.
An Eredivisie favourite of mine last season was Thom van Bergen. He isn’t blessed with physical gifts but van Bergen is a player that maximises his tools. He has a spring heeled leap, plays bigger than his size and only knows high intensity running. van Bergen has been linked with a big money transfer to AZ in the Netherlands as well as clubs abroad. If Groningen were to lose him I’d have him marked down as seriously difficult to replace.
Tygo Land returns for a second season on loan from PSV and Jorg Shreuders has wonderful versatility that sees him effective both in central midfield or on either of the wings. These pair are going to be key for Groningen this season.
It’s a fine line deciding how to feel about Groningen. A spine of Blokzijk-Resink-van Bergen is seriously exciting, but we know one won’t be ready for the start of the season and the other two might not be around at all. Midtable feels like the safest place to pin them.
HEERENVEEN
Last season: 8th
Manager: Robin Veldman
Transfers in:
Dirk Proper (CM) - [NEC Nijmegen] - €1.5M
Darling Bladi (LB) - [Betis] - Undisclosed
Lanroy Machine (ST) - [Angers] - Loan
Transfers out:
Joris van Overeem (CM) - [Utrecht] - €700K
Nordin Bakker (GK) - [Midtjylland] - €300K
Eser Gurbuz (RW) - [Willem II] - Loan
Jan Bekkema (GK) - Released
Heerenveen are my pick for a surprise Eredivisie package this season. I value the continuity from last season to this and I think it keeps their base level high. Bernt Klaverboer, Oliver Braude, Maas Willemsen, Marcus Linday, Dirk Proper, Ringo Meerveld and Jacob Trenskow are all nicely aged, solid Eredivisie players that haven’t collectively earned the reputation that would see them all get picked off in one swoop by other clubs. If I was to throw criticism at the club it would be for not getting Klaverboer and Braude, two of their most valuable assets, tied down to longer contracts.
They are probably too reliant on Dylan Vente to truly challenge at the top end of the table, but the wonderfully named Lanroy Machine, on a season’s loan from Angers, has a nice profile and could be anything.
It’s an interesting time for Heerenveen. With an ambitious approach they could cement themselves as a top half team this season and next.
NEC NIJMEGEN
Last season: 3rd
Manager: Dick Schreuder
Transfers in:
Tobias Storm (RB/CB) - [Lyngby] - €1.5M
Adam Tahaui (RW) - [Vitesse] - €650K
Dusan Tadic (AM) - [Al-Wahda] - Free
Jamiro Monteiro (CM/AM) - [PEC Zwolle] - Free
Kaj Sierhuis (ST) - [Fortuna Sittard] - Free
Emre Mor (RW) - [Fenerbahce] - Free
Perr Schuurs (CB) - Unattached
Clement Bischoff (LW) - [Red Bull Salzburg] - Loan
Transfers out:
Basar Onal (LW) - [Lille] - €12.5M
Youssed El Kachati (ST) - [Reims] - €2M
Dirk Proper (CM) - [Heerenveen] - €1.5M
Rober Gonzalez (RW) - [Albacete] - Free
Rijk Janse (GK) - [Groningen] - Free
Luc Nieuwenhuijs (AM) - [Sparta Rotterdam] - Undisclosed
Jasper Cillessen (GK) - Released
Eli Dasa (RB/CB) - Released
Jetro Willems (LB/CB) - Released
Virgil Misidjan (LW) - Released
Argyris Darelas (AM) - Released
How can you not love NEC Nijmegen? Wingers at wing-back. Centre-backs that rotate taking turns in progressing to the top line. Insane work rate. Unmatched desire. a mix of youthful vibrancy and veteran names. Without doubt the best team to watch in the league and last season they got their rewards by finishing 3rd, making the Champions league qualifiers and and Dutch Cup final.
I think it’s likely they take a step back this season, but that’s not because I’m low on them. But they’re going to be handling European football and they’re going to be without some key players from last season. Basar Onal has already departed for Lille. Midfield linchpin Kodai Sano is, at the time of writing, on the cusp of signing for PSV and Phillipe Sandler is heavily linked to both Ajax and PSV. Sami Ouaissa is thought to be a possible Anis Hadj Moussa replacement at Feyenoord. On a lesser level of importance but not to be overlooked, Dirk Proper has departed for Heerenveen. It would also come as no surprise if Deveron Fonville, Darko Nejasmic and Noa Lebreton attracted interest over the next few weeks.
The incomings that have arrived are wonderfully eclectic. 37-year old Dusan Tadic returns to Netherlands, once ‘wonderkid’ winger Emre Mor arrives from Fenerbahce and former Ajax defender Perr Schuurs is given a three year contract despite being out injured for the past two seasons. Dick Schreuder has NEC thinking outside the box on the pitch and the recruitment department are happy to mirror things off it.
PEC ZWOLLE
Last season: 15th
Manager: Henry Van Der Vegt
Transfers in:
Thijs Oosting (AM) - [Groningen] - €750K
Tobias Sommer (CM) - [Sonderjyske] - €670K
Elias Sorensen (LW) - [Valerenga] - €425K
Tijs Velthuis (CB) - [Sparta Rotterdam] - €150K
Ibrahim Cissoko (LW) - [Toulouse] - Undisclosed
Tom de Graff (GK) - [Utrecht] - Undisclosed
Nick Viergever (CB) - [Utrecht] - Free
Transfers out:
Jamiro Monteiro (CM/AM) - [NEC Nijmegen] - Free
Thomas Buitink (ST) - [Sparta Nijkerk] - Free
Kaj de Rooij (LW) - [Real Valladolid] - Free
Anselmo Garcia MacNulty (CB) - [Magdeburg] - Free
PEC Zwolle were poor last season and looked a good shout for relegation for large periods of the season. Worryingly they don’t look any improved on paper and it could be argued weaker. Wingers Shola Shoretire and Kaj de Rooij are no longer and have been replaced by Ibrahim Cissoko and Elias Sorensen. Cissoko is terribly inconsistent and ranges from not effective to showboating quality. Zwolle are going to need him to be at his best throughout the season and not just in flashes. Veteran Nick Viergever replaces Anselmo Garcia MacNulty at left centre back and that might not be the worst thing.
Overall it’s an uninspiring squad and PEC Zwolle’s are there to be shot at.
PSV EINDHOVEN
Last season: 1st - Champions
Manager: Peter Bosz
Transfers in:
Sven Mijnans (AM) - [AZ Alkmaar] - €13M
Matej Kovar (GK) - [Leverkusen] - €5M
Transfers out:
Ismael Saibari (AM) - [Bayern Munich] - €50M
Joel Drommel (GK) - [Twente] - Undisclosed
Neik Schiks (GK) - [RKC Waalwijk] - Loan
Myron Boadu (ST) - Released
PSV are trying to make it 3-in-a-row. The summer has been relatively quiet up to now and has led to some low level questions. Have PSV done enough to replace Ismael Saibari with Sven Mijnans? Is there some undetected staleness in the squad? Are they being complacent? I don’t have a confident answer to any of those questions that I’ve posed.
Signings are expected to start with NEC’s Kodai Sano and PSV’s base level is so high that they might be unreachable for the challengers anyway. Of course everyone starts on zero, but last season PSV had a 19 point cushion to Feyenoord, 28 points to Ajax, 32 to AZ. I suspect that once the football starts we’ll soon remember just how much better they were from the rest.
Excitingly this season we should see more of Ruben van Bommel who is returning from injury and hopefully more of Noah Fernandes who lit up the back end of last season.
SPARTA ROTTERDAM
Last season: 10th
Manager: Rogier Meijer
Transfers in:
Nick Verschuren (CB) - [Ajax] - €800K
Casper Terho (RW) - [OH Leuven] - €600K
Bas Kuipers (LB) - [Twente] - €400K
Robin van Crujsen (AM) - [Volendam] - Undisclosed
Transfers out:
Tijs Velthuis (CB) - [PEC Zwolle] - €150K
Pelle Clement (CM) - [Groningen] - Free
Tobias Lauritsen (ST) - [Sampdoria] - Free
Joshua Kitolano (CM) - [Bodo/Glimt] - Free
Lance Duijverstijn (AM) - [Darmstadt] - Free
Youri Schoonderwaldt (GK) - [VVV Venlo] - Free
Mike Kleijn (LB) - [Volendam] - Loan
Patrick van Aanholt (LB) - Released
Said Bakari (RB) - Released
Sparta start the new season with a new manager in the shape of former NEC boss Rogier Meijer. He takes over at the castle club at a time where they’ve lost two important players, Norwegian’s Joshua Kitolano and Tobias Lauritsen to free transfers.
There’s some promising players in the squad for Meijer to work with, young centre back Marvin Young has played a lot of Eredivisie minutes for someone of his age. Lushendry Martes and Giannino Vianello broke through to the first team last season. Alwande Roaldsay joined in January and should become a regualr starter now that Kitolano and Pelle Clement have moved on. Ayoni Santos is a slight but energetic 10 and Shunsuke Mito is a diminutive creator that’s very capable. Mike Zonneveld joined from Telstar in January and scored 4 goals in just 226 minutes of Sparta football.
An area that Sparta do need to put some focus is in goal. Last season they had Joel Drommel on loan from PSV and he’s yet to be replaced.
TELSTAR
Last season: 14th
Manager: Henk Brugge
Transfers in:
Harrie Kuster (AM) - [Twente] - Undisclosed
Isaiah Ahmed (CM) - [Heerenveen] - Undisclosed
Marvin Peersman (LB) - [Groningen] - Free
Rui Mendes (RW) - [Groningen] - Free
Prince Aning (LB) - [Dortmund] - Free
Fabiano Rust (AM) - [Feyenoord] - Free
Noach Shenkman (CM) - [AFC Amsterdam] - Free
Abdelnour Soualhia (CM) - [AZ Alkmaar] - Loan
Gerald Alders (RB) - [Ajax] - Loan
Emirhan Demercan (LW) - [Utrecht] - Loan
Transfers out:
Tyrese Noslin (RB/RW) - [Barnsley] - €300K
Danny Bakker (CB) - [FC Anyang] - Free
Dylan Mertens (AM) - [Shafa] - Free
Guus Offerhaus (CB) - [Utrecht] - Free
Adil Lechkar (RB) - [Dordrecht] -Free
Devon Koswal (CB) - [Sandefjord] - Free
Tyrick Bodak (GK) - [Vitesse] - Free
Dion Malone (CB) - Released
Anthony Correira has moved on to Utrecht and is replaced by one of his assistants Henk Brugge. The one thing that was evident in Telstar last season was their mentality, evidenced by two victories against PSV. If they can build on the spirit they’ve shown in first reaching the Eredivisie and secondly staying in it then I don’t see reason that they can’t survive again.
In fact some of the signings look exciting on paper. Abdelnour Soualhia is an unknown coming in from AZ, Gerald Alders continues his loan from Ajax and Emirhan Demercan showed promise for Jong Utrecht last season. Fabian Rust, Harrie Kuster, Isaiah Ahmed and Prince Aning all have good pedigree and Marvin Peersman brings unvaluable experience from his time at Gronignen.
FC TWENTE
Last season: 4th
Manager: John van der Brom
Transfers in:
Ramiz Zerrouki (CM) - [Feyenoord] - €2.25M
Aske Adelgaard (LB) - [Go Ahead Eagles] - €2M
Joel Drommel (GK) - [PSV] - Undisclosed
Remco Pasveer (GK) - [Heracles] - Free
Wout Weghorst (ST) - [Ajax] - Free
Krzysztof Kurowski (LB) - [Slask Wroclaw] - Free
Transfers out:
Mats Rots (LB) - [Hoffenheim] - €12M
Bas Kuipers (LB) - [Sparta Rotterdam] - €400K
Alec van Hoorenbeeck (CB) - [Hajduk Split] - Undisclosed
Harrie Kuster (AM) - [Telstar] - Undisclosed
Ricky van Wolfswinkel (ST) - [Woudenberg] - Free
Sam Karssies (GK) - [Emmen] - Loan
Przemyslaw Tyton (GK) - Released
For my money Twente were the best team in the Eredivisie for large parts of last season after a horrid start and I’m struggling to see a huge drop off occurring, but lets touch on some concerns first.
Attacking left back Mats Rots has left for Hoffenheim. His repalcement Aske Adelgaard has Eredivisie experience with Go Ahead Eagles, but is a definite downgrade. Right back, and captain, Bart van Rooij has been loosely linked to Ajax. Although a departure isn’t certain if Twente were to lose both starting full backs from last season it would be a big blow.
Onto the positives. Joel Drommel rejoins his first club from PSV to be #1 goalkeeper after a solid season on loan at Sparta Rotterdam. ‘Wonderkid’ centre-back Ruud Nijstad remains at the club despite transfer talk linking him to the world’s elite. I personally think that’s good for both Nijstad and Twente as the left footed defender isn’t quite ready to spread his wings. Fan favourite Ramiz Zerrouki returns to club permanently from Feyenoord after been on loan last season. And for my money the three men behind the 9 of Daan Rots, Kristian Hylnsson and Sondre Orjasaeter are almost as good as it gets in Eredivisie terms. I’m especially excited about Orjasaeter and could see his numbers exploding in his second Dutch season. I can forsee Twente making a big profit on the €5M they paid for the Norwegian.
The biggest question mark is how much production Twente will get out of Wout Weghorst. The big man has his critics but Twente finished 4th last season with Sam Lammers and Ricky van Wolfswinkel sharing the striker duties. They scored 6 and 8 goals respectively and it’s difficult to imagine Weghorst getting any less.
FC UTRECHT
Last season: 6th
Manager: Anthony Correira
Transfers in:
Angel Alarcon (LW) - [Porto] - €2M
Joris van Overeem (CM) - [Heerenveen] - €700K
Guus Offerhaus (CB) - [Telstar] - Free
Arthur Zagre (LB) - [Excelsior] - Free
Kevin Paredes (LB) - [Wolfsburg] - Free
Transfers out:
Miguel Rodriguez (RW) - [Alaves] - €5M
Tom de Graaf (GK) - [PEC Zwolle] - Undisclosed
Jesse van de Haar (ST) - [RKC Waalwijk] - Undisclosed
Nick Viergever (CB) - [PEC Zwolle] - Free
Mike van der Hoorn (CB) - [AEK Larnaca] - Free
Sebastien Haller (ST) - [Sanfreece Hiroshima] - Free
Souffian El Karouani (LB) - [Al-Qadisah] - Free
Rafik El Arguioui (AM) - [Cambuur] - Loan
Emirhan Demercan (LW) - [Telstar] - Loan
Can Bozdogan (CM) - Released
It’s all change at Utrecht. Long standing manager Ron Jans has retired, Anthony Correira of Telstar is his replacement. What looked like an exciting appointment a couple of months ago has seen a vibe change in recent weeks. There is already talk of dressing room discontent. Centre back Mike Eerdhuijzen has been told he’s persona non grata. Correira is expected to change tactics from a back four to a three at the back shape and reports say that has been met with a stand off from some players. How much of the online chatter is true? Who knows. But it makes Utrecht an interesting early season watch.
One of the biggest rivers for Utrecht to cross this season is who to cope without Gijvai Zechiel. The midfielder was one the top performers in the league last season when on loan from Feyenoord. Correira has identified veteran passes Joris van Overeem from Heerenveen as the man to take up the midfield mantle. 32-year old van Overeem may be at the back end of his career but his last season was his most productive with 10 assists. He ‘knows the club’ having already played for Utrecht between 2018 and 2022. Whether van Overeem hits the ground running or not may have a big say in how much patience Correira is given in his new job.
Another Correira man that has signed up for the new project is Guus Offerhaus who follows his manager from Telstar.
Left back Arthur Zagre had a very good season with Excelsior and arrives on a free. Utrecht felt like a lofty landing spot for him initially but on reflection he does have a profile that should suit wing back football.
Utrecht have some pace and trickery in wide areas in Angel Alarcon and Yoann Cathline whilst Miliano Jonathans returns to club after injury cut short his loan at Excelsior last season - his future interests me.
Artem Stepanov returns for a second season on loan from Leverkusen. Dubbed ‘mini-Haaland’, the striker scored 5 times in 15 matches last season. He’s full of potential but there’s a fair bit of pressure on his shoulders as the depth behind him isn’t deep.
WILLEM II
Last season: Promoted from Eerste Divisie via playoffs
Manager: John Stegman
Transfers in:
Finn Stam (CB) - [AZ Alkmaar] - Undisclosed
Hidde ter Avest (RB) - [Oxford] - Free
Mats Lemmens (CB) - [RWDM Brussels] - Free
Jaden Slory (RW) - [Feyenoord] - Loan
Kasper Boogard (CM) - [AZ Almaar] - Loan
Eser Gurbuz (RW) - [Heerenveen] - Loan
Transfers out:
Boris Lambert (CM) - [Kortrijk] - €475K
Emilio Kehrer (RW) - [Winterthur] - Undisclosed
Raffael Behounek (CB) - [Wolfsberger] - Free
Nick Doodeman (RW) - [Volendam] - Free
Mounir El Allouchi (AM) - Released
Dani Mathieu (AM) - Released
Willem II earned promotion through the playoffs and they look ready to give it a good go and staying up on their return to the top flight.
Kasper Boogard and Finn Stam from AZ Alkmaar and Jaden Slory from Feyenoord are all floor raisers and Mats Lemmens is a fascinating arrival from RWDM Brussels. Goalkeeper Thomas Didillon-Hodl is a safe pair of hands who they’ve managed to tie to a new contract following promotion. But the player to watch most closely is striker Devin Haen who has scored 33 goals over the past two Eerste Divisie seasons, first with Dordrecht and last season with Willem II. This is a shop window season for the former Feyenoord man.
1-18
Here we go then, feel free to screenshot this for pay back at the end of the season.
I have PSV claiming another title, but a resurgent Ajax pushing them all the way.
Heerenveen will push for Europe, whilst PEC Zwolle will be in trouble alongside the newly promoted clubs.
1 - PSV
2 - Ajax
3 - Feyenoord
4 - AZ
5 - Twente
6 - Heerenveen
7 - NEC Nijmegen
8 - Utrecht
9 - Groningen
10 - Sparta Rotterdam
11 - Den Haag
12 - Go Ahead Eagles
13 - Fortuna Sittard
14 - Excelsior
15 - Telstar
16 - Willem II
17 - PEC Zwolle
18 - Cambuur
Into their final year…
Taken from TransferMarkt, the following Eredivisie players are entering the final year of their contracts. Inevitably clubs will hold an option on some, however players on this list could represent market opportunities…
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