There are only two months left of the current Eredivisie campaign so players’ heads may begin to be turned by pastures new. Here’s a line-up of the best free transfer talents available in the Dutch top flight ahead of the summer transfer window.
- By Michael Statham
- Follow Michael on Twitter @EredivisieMike
(The players in this line-up do not have optional extensions for the club to activate.)
Goalkeeper: Brad Jones
The Australian has been exceptional in goal for table toppers Feyenoord this campaign, having kept a league high of 14 clean sheets thus far.
The 35-year-old’s intention for the moment is to focus on winning the title with the Rotterdammers, but it is unlikely that the club will keep hold of Jones because Dutch international Kenneth Vermeer is expecting to return between the sticks next season.
Fellow Eredivisie clubs AZ, Heerenveen and Twente all keeping tabs on the ‘keeper.
Right-back: Mattias Johansson
Despite AZ having a largely erratic season, Johansson has without doubt been one of AZ’s most consistent performers over the last five years. His experience playing week-in, week-out for AZ coupled with Europa League experience make the Swedish international a must-have defender for many European clubs.
Centre-back: Dirk Marcellis
It’s easy to forget the curly-haired centre-back is only 28, as his leadership on the pitch speaks volumes of his playing style.
Marcellis helped solidify PEC Zwolle’s back-line upon his arrival in 2015, following defensive departures at the time. The three-time capped Dutch international holds experience playing with PSV, AZ and NAC Breda and would be a decent pick-up for most Eredivisie or potentially English Championship sides – to suit his physical prowess.
Centre-back: Wilfried Kanon
ADO’s abysmal season in the Eredivisie may put plenty of clubs off signing the Ivory Coast international, but Kanon’s performances for his country may yet bargain him a move abroad. Take Maya Yoshida as an example of a player who was purchased for his international displays (VVV Venlo to Southampton).
Kanon once interested French club Lille, however the move fell through. Let’s see what happens this summer for the defender.
Left-back: Arnold Kruijswijk
The big defender netted his first goal in a fifteen-year long career this season, but will be scouted more for his robust defensive abilities.
Ex-Groningen and Heerenveen Kruijswijk is a loyal footballer and particularly strong in the air, allowing him to also play centre-back.
Midfield: Thomas Bruns
Captain Bruns will be looking for a new adventure after enjoying a sixth, fruitful campaign with Heracles.
His development into a solid, technically sound number eight with the Almelo side will surely earn him a nice move abroad this summer.
Midfield: Nacer Barazite
The former Arsenal and Monaco player has refound his touch with Utrecht after a stall in his career as a late teenager.
Barazite is skillfull, adventerous and has improved well in his assist and goal contribution, as well as his link up play with the strikers and other midfielders.
Erik Ten Hag may yet keep the Dutch-Morroccan, but a tempting move elsewhere could prove a stumbling block.
Midfield: Erik Falkenburg
The attacking-midfielder is usually good for just under ten goals a season thanks to his heading and finishing strengths.
At the moment he is thriving in a mid-table Willem II side who don’t create much but utilise set-pieces to grab goals.
Two years ago, before signing for the Tilburgers, Falkenburg stated it was his desire to move abroad to the German or English second-tiers, but chose a contract in the Netherlands. May he be tempted away on this occasion?
Left-wing: Dico Koppers
Another Willem II player, Koppers has been deployed mostly as a left-back in his career up to now, where he has recently thrived as a left-winger.
Whether or not it has been enough for manager Erwin van de Looi to offer Koppers a new contract, remains to be seen. However, the left-footer is sure to be targetted by a number of Eredivisie sides this summer.
Right-wing: Luciano Slagveer
A pacy, direct winger, Slagveer has felt as though he deserves more games for the Frisians lately, due to the lack of form from first-choice forwards Sam Larsson and Arber Zeneli.
Although a little one-dimensional, no-one can deny Slagveer is one of the quickest players in the league with the ability to create chances from his skill and crossing.
In the past, fellow Dutchman Rajiv van La Parra left Heerenveen on a free transfer to enjoy life in the English Championship, Slagveer may follow suit.
Striker: Nigel Hasselbaink
Although not exactly an out-and-out striker, the diminutive forward has lead the line for struggling Excelsior in recent months to great effect, having netted six times this season.
Hasselbaink’s time in Scotland was hardly memorable, but he has developed himself into a striker who could be pinched by another Eredivisie side in the coming months.
Substitutes:
Kostas Lamprou
Willem II’s stand-out performer this season, goalkeeper Lamprou has kept a highly respectable nine clean sheets in the Eredivisie this season already, more than any other goalkeeper outside the top three.
Erwin Mulder
Although inconsistent at times, former Feyenoord goalkeeper Mulder has been a leader for Heerenveen this season, making some very good saves along with a couple of noteworthy errors.
A challenge abroad is Mulder’s next career aim.
Mike te Wierik
The Heracles defender’s versatility aids his market value as he adept at playing across the defence. Eredivisie rivals Groningen have already snapped up te Wierik ahead of August.
Kelvin Leerdam
The Vitesse right-back has been in and out the team this season but would still do a job for many Eredivisie sides should they take the chance on the former Feyenoord defender.
Jarchinio Antonia
The Go Ahead Eagles winger has stated it is his aim to play abroad next season having scored five times and given two assists this campaign so far.
The 26-year-old struggled to prove himself at Groningen before the move to his home-town club last summer.
Who would you like at your club? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments section below!
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Writer/interviewer/YouTuber for Football-Oranje. Massive Dutch football fan from the UK. Follow me @EredivisieMike & subscribe to Football-Oranje on YouTube.
Would love to see Heerenveens Sam Larsson at Feyenoord