PSV builds on Dutch talent

Robben for PSV

Some years ago, PSV broke with tradition by attracting young Dutch players to play in Eindhoven. Think Mark van Bommel, Wilfred Bouma, Kevin Hofland, John de Jong and Arjen Robben. This summer, PSV does it again.

Director Jan Reker presented PSV’s new signing, FC Groningen talent Stef Nijland (20 years old), with the comment: “PSV wants to sign every exciting Dutch talent.” Looking at PSV selection today, it seems they’re well on their way. Seven players are 23 years old or younger and they are all, bar one, (youth) international for Oranje.

“Obviously, we won’t buy for the sake of it. We do need good players, but with Amrabat, Pieters (from FC Utrecht) and now Nijland we signed potentially great players but also affordable players. It’s harder for us to sign former Ajax or AZ talents. They are much more expensive. And we do regret that Aissati left us.”

Reker professionalized the PSV scouting department. “We have a complete assessment of all Dutch talents in pro football. Stef Nijland for instance, was assessed more than 20 times on various aspects of the game.”

“We have several lists. A scouting list for players who could play for PSV 1 immediately, and a list of future players. Like Nijland, who we signed for the future. Now, Stef can get used to the level we aspire to in Eindhoven and we can prepare him for the big games.”

For years, AZ had the name to be the smart scouting club for Dutch talents. “Again, it’s not that we want to be AZ or something, but due to the fact that we qualify for the CL for years already, we can afford to strengthen our group.”

Some ten years ago, PSV gained the top spot in Holland, led by players like Van Bommel and Robben. In the last years, PSV won the title regularly but it needed a Brazilian keeper, an Australian midfielder, a Peruvian striker and Mexican defenders to do this.

“It’s not that we won’t scout in South America anymore. But I just want to see more Dutch lads in our team. Players we can identify with, players who don’t need to assimilate.”

Reker also put a lot of effort in balancing out the group age-wise. “You need that mix. You need players who can perform on a weekly basis to even out the youngsters, who sometimes play like Gods and the next week like garbage-men. It’s also important for the hierarchy in the dressing room.”

PSV’s current selection age-wise:

18 jaar: Manco, Wuytens
19 jaar: Reis
20 jaar: Pieters, Nijland, Marcellis, Van Eijden
21 jaar: Amrabat, Ramos, Dzsudzsak
22 jaar: Afellay
23 jaar: Bakkal
25 jaar: Lazovic
26 jaar: Isaksson, Rodriguez
27 jaar: Zonneveld
28 jaar: Kromkamp, Salcido
29 jaar: Koevermans, Addo, Méndez, Bréchet
31 jaar: Van der Leegte, Simons
35 jaar: Roorda