The gem of the AZ Alkmaar academy over the last few years, Dabney Dos Santos will be a crucial piece of John van den Brom’s side which is aiming to challenge the top three.
- By Chaka Simbeye
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Earnie Stewart is the gift that keeps on giving at AZ Alkmaar as his decision to tie Dabney Dos Santos to a new contract during his tenure as Technical Director has already begun to pay dividends. Dos Santos accrued 2 goals and 8 assists in his debut season while scoring 5 goals and laying on 8 assists last season as he found his goalscoring touch towards the end of the season. One of a special breed of flair players who glide elegantly like a swan with the ball at their feet while possessing the zeal to drive at players with ferocity and skill. A budding attacking midfielder is now an imperious left winger in the AZ first team as he could be the most special thing to come out of the AZ academy since Adam Maher.
Playing style
He is settled on the left wing and knows how to stretch play while when he finds his rhythm, attacking fullbacks at unbeatable angles in one on one situations then they are only a few defenders that can stop him. He enjoys cutting and creating from more central positions as he was used to doing in his academy days while at the end of last season, he began to position himself in goalscoring positions as his confidence in front of goal began to grow. Once he peels away from his fullback he can play a sweet delivery into the box for his fellow attackers to score as the man of Cape Verdean origin is a naturally creative player. He can also attempt the more flamboyant skills also some times indulging in tricks and flicks to appease the crowd but when AZ are attacking at pace, the last place the opponent wants the ball is on the flanks as that is where the danger mostly comes from.
What does the future hold for Dos Santos?
The place on the left wing of AZ’s lethal attacking triumvirate is his as his development till this point has been measured and stable as one hopes it continues this way as he possesses a lot of potential. He should also hope to continue his goalscoring form from last season as it is imperative that goals begin to come from all areas of the pitch from AZ. Dos Santos’ contract comes to an end in 2019 so AZ have the time develop him as a player while he also has the time to develop physically and enhance his game as the next Memphis Depay may not come for Eindhoven or Amsterdam but from Alkmaar.
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