Success has many fathers, they say in the Netherlands, and that is also the case at PSV. Rik Elfrink, PSV watcher at Eindhovens Dagblad, points out some key figures in the success of the undefeated leader in the Eredivisie. “Johan Bakayoko will only get better.”
PSV has not left a crumb in the Eredivisie this season: 36 out of 36, the most productive Dutch team with 45 goals, the fewest number of goals conceded, …
In Eindhoven they have been waiting for a new national title for 6 years and the signs are favorable for the 24-time champion for the time being.
Simply listing the recipe for success of the “Farmers” is not easy. Yet Rik Elfrink, PSV watcher at Eindhovens Dagblad, makes an attempt.
“PSV has started to play much more attractively,” he says. “Normally that is also riskier, but for the time being that is not the case. PSV concedes fewer goals and they also score very easily.”
“In addition, they have made some good signings with Noa Lang, Hirving Lozano who is back, Jerdy Schouten, Sergino Dest… They have all turned out to be quality players.”
“And then you have Luuk de Jong, who is still a fantastic striker in form. And Johan Bakayoko is also playing at a high level.”
Summarized with a Dutch saying: “Success has many fathers, and that is no different at PSV,” said Elfrink, who discusses some key figures.
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1. Coach Peter Bosz
PSV won the Johan Cruijff Shield and the KNVB Cup last season under Ruud van Nistelrooij, but the coach resigned because he no longer felt confident. Peter Bosz took over.
“Whether it is better? It is different, let’s keep it that way,” said Elfrink. “Last year PSV didn’t really have a fixed tactical plan, now it is very clear how PSV wants to play.”
“PSV puts a lot of pressure, looks for attack, wants to play attractive football. Sometimes you get a tap on the nose, like against Arsenal, but PSV is also very dominant in many other matches.”
“They have won all matches in the Eredivisie by 2 goals or more. Not a single match has been close, it was always clear that PSV was the better team. That mainly has to do with the tactical plan.”
2. Jerdy Schouten
Who? Rik Elfrink also realizes that Jerdy Schouten “does not immediately ring a bell in Belgium”. “But he has been the most important transfer for PSV,” he explains.
“Schouten came over from Bologna, where he was one of the best midfielders in Serie A last year. But a 26-year-old, who does not score often and provides few assists… is he worth 15 million euros?”
“Well, he has been worth every euro, because he is a fantastic player for the PSV system. Peter Bosz wants to play very offensively and put his strikers under full pressure. Then you need one player who can keep the balance guard, but can also accelerate when in possession of the ball.”
“Schouten can do that. He is one of the reasons for PSV’s success.”
3. Johan Bakayoko
A name that sounds very familiar in our country is that of Johan Bakayoko. “He plays at a very high level. With 11 assists he definitely contributes to the success.”
“Bakayoko remains himself, it doesn’t go to his head. He knows exactly what he wants and is not fooled by the millions from the Premier League. He wants to keep learning and realizes that he just has to play at his age.”
“There is still a lot of room for improvement. In Lukaku he has a good teacher in Belgium. He is a boy for the future of Belgian football.”
“Once he gets through, he’s almost unstoppable. I think he’ll only get better as the season goes on.”
Another Belgian who is trying to make a name for himself at PSV is Yorbe Vertessen. “It is difficult for him to get a starting place,” said Elfrink.
“He does have his role in the team, because he is an ideal counter-striker. With a 0-1 lead, you can ideally introduce him after 70 minutes. Opponents start taking risks, spaces are created and Vertessen knows how to deal with that.”
Difficult period becomes real test
Rik Elfrink has not yet written down a 25th national title for PSV. He first wants to wait out the difficult period. “With Twente, Sevilla and Feyenoord in succession, they get three matches that should show how strong PSV really is.”
“They have been the well-deserved leader so far, but the difficult matches are now coming. They will also have to win them to become champions. If they win, I don’t know who can keep PSV from the title.”
Who are PSV’s challengers then? “It’s usually between PSV and Ajax,” said Elfrink. “But this year Ajax is not playing, that is bizarre. They are now experiencing what Anderlecht had for a number of years. Ajax in the middle bracket, that is almost unprecedented.”
“PSV is not bothered by Ajax, but it is bothered by Feyenoord, which is very strong. I think it will be a great battle between those two teams.”
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2023-11-24 07:26:10
#strengths #undefeated #PSV #analyzed #transfer #ring #bell #Belgium #Premier #League
