Ajax is on its way to a record 36th title in Eredivisie, they are 5 points clear at the top and only time will tell whether PSV and others can stop them.
Competitive title race or not, the Eredivisie still has a lot to offer.
The Eredivisie is full of exciting players and potential superstars. This trend has been more so evident in recent years, with the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and many more coming out of Ajax.
These players went on to play in the top 5 leagues of Europe.
As a result, many young, new great gifted players will be aiming to make a name for themselves in order to earn a merit ticket to play in Europe’s top five leagues next season.
So, let’s put these future prospects under the microscope and talk about them!
Jurriën Timber (Ajax)
The 20-year-old is now an important part of Ajax’s season, which has seen them win all six Champions League group stage matches and approach the Eredivisie winter break with only four goals surrendered in 18 games.
Timber, an all-around defender with a traditional Ajax school style of play, has become their major beginning point of attack, initiating open play sequences with a total xG value of 3.86 this season, the most in the league.
Carrying the ball into the other half, finding space, and inviting the opponents to breach their lines is his key weapon. Timber has more progressive carries (244) than any other player in the competition so far – remarkable figures for such a young and inexperienced guy.
Cody Gakpo (PSV)
Cody Gakpo, 22, is lighting up the attack for PSV this season. The left-winger grew up in Eindhoven and progressed through the PSV youth system. As a result, he has a special place in the hearts of PSV supporters.
Gakpo is in his third season as a regular starter for PSV, and he’s proven to be particularly dangerous from set plays, with five assists in the league coming from corners in 2021-22.
Gakpo is increasingly likely to be courted by teams from Europe’s major divisions in the near future. After Memphis Depay, Steven Bergwijn, and Donyell Malen, he will be the latest in a long line of recent PSV attackers to make a huge move.
Joey Veerman (PSV)
In a league noted for generating world-class wingers, the Eredivisie has also produced a number of outstanding central midfielders. Joey Veerman has the makings of one of those.
Veerman’s passing range is one of his key strengths, as one would expect from a Dutch midfielder — no midfielder has delivered more forward passes than him, and only Ajax’s Daley Blind has played more passes into the final third this Eredivisie season. Only Dusan Tadic plays more passes into the box than the 23-year-old playmaker.
The 23-year-old was involved in more open play sequences leading to a shot than any other player at the club in 2021-22 so far.
