The last Eredivisie matches of 2025 have been played and that means we are opening the polls. VoetbalPrimeur nominates the nominees per position for the Team of the First Half of the Season, the last word is yours. This time the left central defenders, in alphabetical order.
Youri Baas (Ajax)
Youri Baas was a bright spot at the ailing Ajax in the first months of the season. The left-footed player, who only came into the center under Francesco Farioli, continues his remarkable development. He has become an indispensable part of the Ajax base.
Things seem to be a little more difficult for Baas in recent weeks, but he is still of great value to the team of interim coach Fred Grim. His splitting play-in pass and coaching of jumping back are particularly eye-catching. He also continues to take steps physically.
Yarek Gasiorowski (PSV)
The arrival of Yarek Gasiorowski to PSV is truly a bull’s eye. The Polish Spaniard only spoke a few words of English, but adapted very quickly. He especially holds his own defensively, which is much needed with so much football around him.
In fact, Gasiorowski was only caught in a few slip-ups at the start of the season. The former Valencia player eliminated Ayase Ueda, among others, in the top match against Feyenoord and is dangerous in standard situations with his heading power.
© Pro ShotsDies Janse (FC Groningen)
Partly due to the competition from Baas, Dies Janse sought refuge at FC Groningen last summer. The choice to let himself be rented out works out excellently for the young Zeelander. He plays every week and does so very well.
The tall and strong Janse forms an excellent duo with Thijmen Blokzijl. It is not without reason that Groningen is fifth and has only conceded 22 goals. Janse also shows at times that he has the necessary qualities on the ball.
© Pro ShotsTsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord)
Tsuyoshi Watanabe has been a highly regarded defender in Belgium for several years and he effortlessly continues that trend at Feyenoord. The Japanese has been a very stable force in Rotterdam’s defense from day one.
Watanabe does not stand out so much on the ball, but defensively Feyenoord can hardly do without him. With his head power, dueling power and experience, he nips many dangers in the bud.
© Pro ShotsMaas Willemsen (sc Heerenveen)
Maas Willemsen remains somewhat under the radar among the general public, but he is unobtrusively good at sc Heerenveen. The 22-year-old left foot came over from De Graafschap in the summer and has since developed excellently in Robin Veldman’s team.
What makes Willemsen especially good is the fact that he is very complete. In Friesland, a careful comparison will be made with predecessors such as Sven Botman and Jan Paul van Hecke. The calm Willemsen could easily follow the same path.
© Pro ShotsWho do you think is the best left central defender of the first half of the season in the Eredivisie? Cast your vote now in the poll and join the discussion!
