Eager to prove himself in the Eredivisie, PSV Eindhoven striker Sam Lammers is on loan with Heerenveen and aiming to fire the Frisian’s into the top eight.
- By Michael Bell
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Lammers was initially part of Willem II’s academy but was snapped up by PSV Eindhoven in 2010. He started his career as a midfielder, but his size, power and finishing impressed the PSV youth coaches and he was gradually adapted into a centre-forward.
After impressing for PSV’s U19’s, Lammers was handed his professional debut with Jong PSV in the Eerste Divisie against Go Ahead Eagles in August 2015. He spent the rest of the campaign switching between the U19’s and U21’s, scoring twice in the Eerste Divisie. The following season, Lammers was the first choice striker for Jong PSV and four goals in the opening game of the campaign was a sign of things to come from the youngster.
Lammers form was noticed by Phillip Cocu, who handed him his Eredivisie debut in October 2016 and in the final two games of the season he netted his first two goals for the first team. He also finished the campaign with 17 goals in the Eerste Divisie.
At the start of last season, Lammers was expected to break into the first-team with Luuk de Jong linked with a move away. However, De Jong stayed and Lammers remained as back-up. He would score 11 goals in 16 league games for Jong PSV but in seven Eredivisie appearances, Lammers failed to find the back of the net.
It is now clear that the 21-year-old has outgrown the Eerste Divisie and needs regular top-flight minutes. However, with Luuk de Jong and Max Romero ahead of him in the pecking order at PSV, Lammers decided to make the move to Heerenveen this summer on a season-long loan deal.
Lammers is currently a Netherlands U21 international and has three goals in nine appearances.
Style of Play
Lammers is a strong, tall and powerful centre-forward who has spent his time at PSV learning from two greats, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Luc Nilis.
Technically, Lammers is excellent and he scores all sorts of goals with both feet and his head. A poacher in the box that is also capable of firing a long-range effort into the top corner, Lammers seems to have it all to be a top class striker.
Last season, Lammers struggled to get involved when given first-team minutes, but with Heerenveen, he will be first choice and the focal point of their attack, which should help his confidence.
What to expect from Lammers this season
Goals and plenty of them.
Lammers struggled last season in the Eredivisie, but with only seven appearances it was hard to judge the youngster, who has been prolific for Jong PSV. At Heerenveen, Lammers will look to impress new PSV boss Mark van Bommel and prove he can be the first choice in Eindhoven next season.
Netherlands currently has a striker shortage at the national team and Lammers is one of the most gifted young forward coming through in the Eredivisie and this year is set to be his breakthrough campaign.
You guys predicted this one very well, Lammers is really amazing, his two goals against Ajax yesterday were pure class