I’d say for the first time in years that this will be PSV’s title to lose.
My take on the big 3:
Feyenoord:
Departments: Kökcu, Danilo and Szymanski.
Acquisitions: Zerrouki, Ueda, Stengs, Nieuwkoop and Ivanusec.
Feyenoord spent an accumulative of roughly 37M, while selling for 36M, excluding bonuses and sell on clauses.
For now it seems Feyenoord sold quality and got quantity in return. Kökcu enjoyed his breakthrough season last year. Reaching a level none of the newly acquired players are likely capable off. Zerrouki and Timber are the probable candidates to run the midfield now. For Eredivisie levels that is outstanding, but for a CL side it doesn’t exactly put any fear into the opposition. In a more offensive #10 role, Szymanski really was a threat last season and one of Feyenoord’s better players all together. I am exited to see what Ivanusec is capable off. Stengs might possess the same amount of talent, but he lacks the smarts and drive. He’s been nothing but a prima donna so far. Ueda will provide scoring depth and he will surely push Gimenez to perform well. He’ll be a more than capable stand in who could score double digits if starting, easily.
Feyenoord’s biggest W this offseason, and this is why they get a good grade here, is that their coach Slot decided to stay, despite multiple offers, including the Premier League. He’ll have them play a very complete game, with his players performing at their best. Geertruida not leaving to Leipzig will be massive for them as well (Feyenoord wanted more than the 30M Leipzig offered). He’s a rock back there and can play pretty much all defensive positions if need be.
Expected lineup (with player grades)
Attack: Ivanusec (NA), Gimenez (85), Paixão (81)
Midfield: Zerrouki (81) Wieffer (79), Timber (83)
Defense: Geertruida (85), Hancko (84), Hartman (83), Nieuwkoop (77)
Goalkeeper: Bijlow (81)
Bench: Ueda (NA), Trauner (77) Stengs (80), Jahanbahksk (78), Dilrosun (75)
Offseason grade: B+
Projected finish league: 2/3
Projected finish Champions League: Group stage
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PSV
Departments: Xavi Simons, Sangaré, and Gutierrez.
Acquisitions: Lang, Lozano, Pepi, Tillman, Schouten, Bella-Kotchap (loan), Dest (loan with buy option).
PSV spent an accumulative of roughly 52M, while selling for 45M, excluding bonuses and sell on clauses.
PSV lost their and Eredivisie’s MVP in Xavi Simons. However, there’s a lot of talent at his position that might help fans forget about Simons rather quickly. Noa Lang for instance, is an enfant terrible; the typical headcase with an amazing array of skills. Somewhat of a Neymar replica, only not as good, obviously. If he clicks, with both Peter Bosz, his teammates and the fans and he just matures a bit more, I really wouldn’t know his ceiling; he can be that good. The real gems of PSV however, and the reason why Simons will likely soon be forgotten, are Bakayoko (20) and especially Bababi (18). Two great threats with speed, dribbles and guts. They already possess the talent to contribute the way Madueke did last year. Especially under Bosz, they should be big weapons in his offensive system. Pepi will likely replace Luuk de Jong sooner or later, though you can never rule out Luuk de Jong. I really feel he’s one of the most limited strikers in all of Europe, but in terms of heading and coming up big when it matters, Luuk might be #1, still capable of scoring 15+ a season. Pepe is a more complete striker with the same scoring upside, so PSV is sitting comfortably here. Schouten was brought in to replace Sangaré, who just now finally left. Sangaré is a strong, not very mobile, pure CDM, whereas Schouten is more of a Frenkie de Jong type CDM, which might suit Peter Bosz’ style a bit better. He’s already used him at CB a few moments due to his calmness and ball playing skills.
PSV did well to sign Peter Bosz. One of the most offensive minded coaches out there. While his tactics will likely cost PSV some crucial points/exits on the biggest stage, he immediately turns PSV into a more entertaining and flowing team. Something they’ve really struggled with this past decade. In the Eredivisie, where PSV will be ball dominant vs 75% of their opponents, that should mean good things. PSV managed to upgrade it’s defense just before deadline struck, and that was quite necessary. Obispo is still injured, leaving Teze and Boscagli as their only solid defenders. Their backs were mediocre at best and in Bosz’ system, it should be an important position. This seems like the perfect opportunity for Dest to get his career back on track. Getting Bella-Kotchap to likely slot in at CB so Teze can play RB is a great piece of the puzzle.
Expected lineup (with player grades)
Attack: Luuk de Jong (80), Lang (85), Bakayoko (84)
Midfield: Lozano (85), Schouten (82), Veerman (85)
Defense: Teze (83), Bella-Kotchap (NA), Dest (79), Boscagli (80)
Goalkeeper: Benitez (80)
Bench: Babadi (84), Saibari (82), Obispo (81-injured), Tillman (78), Til (74), Pepi (81), Sambo (76), Ramalho (73), van Aanholt (77)
Offseason grade: A-
Projected finish: 1
Projected finish Champions League: Group stage/round of 16
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Ajax
Departments: Tadic, Alvarez, Timber, Kudus, Klaassen, Bassey, Daramy
Acquisitions: Forbs, van der Boomen, Sutalo, Tahirovic, Akpom, Mikautadze, Sosa, Avali, Mannsverk, Ramaj, Gaaei
Ajax spent an accumulative of roughly 110M (a record), while selling for 160M, excluding bonuses and sell on clauses.
Ajax lost a lot of key players. Six starters have left this summer, which is a massive blow for a team still trying to find their game and their identity ever since Ten Hag/Overmars left. So far all the acquisitions have raised a lot of eyebrows among the fans. Mislilntat not only spent millions on potential starters, but also on depth players, ignoring the outstanding academy he has at his disposal. The philosophy of the club has been changed dramatically and the first big prospects such as Vos and Misehouy already reached out to social media to show their displeasure with the way things are run now. With 12 (!) acquisitions, and only one dutchman, not to mention a new coach, it will take a few weeks if not months before this team finds some sort of chemistry. By then, PSV might already have secured first place.
Zooming in into the player exchanges. Tadic was Eredivisie’s MVP before Simons took over last year. Immensely vital in Ajax successes over the years, but the more Ajax derailed, the less drive Tadic had. Despite the numbers, Tadic pretty much wore out his stay with the club. The club needed to take new directions. Forbs, Mikautadze, Akpom have been brought in to replace him and Kudus up front. They will form a unit with any of Bergwijn, Berghuis and Brobbey
The departments of Timber, Alvarez and Kudus hurt much more. Timber will be replaced by Hato (only 17) the new CB prodigy of Ajax. He’s been the only bright spot in what’s been an abysmal defensive four so far. Hato has Timber-like potential, but at 17 still lacks experience. The biggest acquisition in Sutalo will likely partner him. Can’t wait, as I’ve heard good things only. Lots of options on the backs now. Sosa, Gaaei, Rensch, Avíla, meaning Wijndal and Salah-Eddine will likely have to look elsewhere.
Van der Boomen, Tahirovic, Mannsverk and Vos (academy) are all nice options to try and replace Alvarez. Neither possesses the passion, the grit and perseverance Alvarez stepped onto the field with, but all four do have a lot more ball playing abilities and vision so I am hopeful here.
All in all, Ajax is a massive wildcard this year. I can’t see them winning the league, but if everyone starts gelling, they could upset Feyenoord and take #2. The way things have started, however, Twente and AZ might have Ajax finishing even lower.
Expected lineup (with player grades)
Attack: Brobbey (82), Forbs (82), Bergwijn (83)
Midfield: van der Boomen (82), Berghuis (83), Tahirovic (82)
Defense: Hato (82), Satulo (NA), Sosa (NA), Gaaei (NA)
Goalkeeper: Gorter (78)
Bench: Rulli (81-injured), Medic (74), Rensch (75), Taylor (79), Vos (79), Mikautadze (NA), Akpom (NA), Avíla (NA), Mannsverk (NA), Ramaj (NA)
Offseason grade: C+
Projected finish league: 2/3
Projected finish Europa League: round of 16