After a disappointing domestic season, whilst FC Twente were also facing financial problems, the board will be hoping for a more comfortable campaign in the Eredivisie, but can Alfred Schreuder’s side improve themselves without the likes of Luc Castaignos, Andreas Bjelland, Bilal Ould-Chikh and Cuco Martina?
- By Jeroen Adriaanse
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Manager Alfred Schreuder heads into his second full season, having completely overhauled his squad due to financial problems, which emerged at the end of last season’s campaign.
Thanks to local authorities, transfers and the fact that Webprint will replace XXImo as Twente’s shirt sponsor this upcoming season, the club are receiving enough money to overcome their biggest financial issues. However, the ambition to secure a spot for European football has already ended in the rubbish bin. The club’s main priority is to become healthy again.
Summer Transfers
In – Gergios Katsikas (PAOK Saloniki, free), Bruno Uvini (SCC Napoli, loan), Michael Olaitan (Olympiakos, loan) and Thomas Agyepong (Manchester City, loan)
Out – Luc Castaignos (Eintracht Frankfurt), Andreas Bjelland (Brentford), Bilal Ould-Chikh (Benfica), Cuco Martina (Southampton), Kasper Kusk (FC Kopenhagen), Orlando Engelaar (Unknown, free), Tim Breukers (Heracles Almelo, free), Dico Koppers (Willem II, free), Filip Bednarek (FC Utrecht, free) and Daniel Fernandes (San Antonio Scorpions, loan)
Due to Twente’s financial problems, the club had to sell some of their starlets this summer. Castaignos, Bjelland and youngster Ould-Chikh moved abroad, which gave Twente a financial injection, while the squad has also been brought down to 20 players in order to reduce the wages.
New signings Gergios Katsikas and Bruno Uvini (defensive midfielder) will strengthen the defence and it is expected that Katsikas, who has played quite a few games since his arrival, will cover Andreas Bjelland’s departure.
Pre-season
FC Twente have played eight pre-season friendlies, which saw a mixed bag of results:
- 1-7 away win against the ‘regioselectie’
- 0-16 away win against Team Twenterand
- 0-4 away win against SDV Barneveld
- 0-3 away win against Achilles’29
- 2-0 home win against Sivassport
- 0-5 home loss against Genclerbirligi
- 1-2 home loss against Olympiakos Piraeus
- 1-1 away draw against Schalke 04
Key Players
Hakim Ziyech
Hakim Ziyech moved to Twente last summer after an impressive season at SC Heerenveen. It was either Feyenoord or Twente, and although reports suggested that Ziyech would move to Rotterdam, he eventually ended up at Twente.
In the Eredivisie, last season, Ziyech scored 11 goals, created 83 chances and recorded 16 assists. He completed 788 passes with a pass accuracy of 73%, of which 85% were forward passes, as per Squawka.
Moreover, Ziyech captained Twente against Schalke 04 and is eager to take his team by the hand to progress towards a positive future. Another good season should see the 22-year-old on the borders of the Dutch national team.
Jesus Corona
The 22-year-old Mexican took advantage of his starting spot during the Gold Cup final by scoring his nation’s second goal in a 3-0 win over Jamaica. One of the most impressive players during the tournament in America, Corona will now look to replicate his form in the Eredivisie.
However due to Corona’s Gold Cup appearances, the player has been allowed to enjoy a short holiday, which means that he will miss the opening game of the upcoming season against FC Groningen.
His absence will be a huge disadvantage for Twente. Corona’s blistering pace allows him to exploit down the flanks whilst his smart movement enables him to create space within the box and even more important; to get into a goal scoring position.
Strongest Line-Up
Marsman; Katsikas, Schilder, Ter Avest, Bijen; Tapia, Eghan, Mokotjo, Gutierrez, Ziyech; Corona
Prediction
Despite the fact that there is enough quality and potential within the current squad, Twente have lost too many players to form a real threat this season. The board won’t be able to bring in new players at this stage although Schreuder would love to add another striker to his squad. The manager will have to work with a shrunken group and limited options this season. Nevertheless, Ziyech and Corona could inspire a wounded Twente to greater heights.
Prediction: 8th
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