Feyenoord forward Anis Hadj Moussa claimed the Eredivisie Player of the Month award for September, capping a remarkable turnaround following a failed million-euro transfer deadline move to Al-Ittihad, 1908.nl reported.
Anis Hadj Moussa Secures VI Player of the Month Award
During a busy September schedule that included Eredivisie fixtures against N.E.C., PEC Zwolle, and FC Utrecht, Hadj Moussa scored four goals to lead Feyenoord’s attack. His consistent performances earned him the VI Speler Van De Maand prize, handed out by Martijn Krabbendam based on weekly player ratings. “I am very satisfied with the past month,” Hadj Moussa told 1908.nl. “Personally, but also for the team. We showed good things, which is why I won this prize. I am very happy.” Out of his four strikes, the Algerian winger highlighted his second goal against PEC Zwolle as his favorite. “Against Zwolle. The second one. I come inside, slalom through them and shoot. I think that’s the nicest one,” he said of the solo effort.
Transfer Window Drama and Praise from Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Hadj Moussa’s strong form followed a turbulent start to September when a lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad fell through in the final days of the window. The deal collapsed after the Dutch transfer deadline, briefly causing friction that saw the winger miss the match against N.E.C. after arriving late on matchday, according to VoetbalPrimeur. Despite the disruption, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst maintained confidence in the attacker, famously labeling him an “artist.” Reacting to the manager’s remarks, Hadj Moussa expressed gratitude. “For such a big player to say something like that gives me pleasure. I am very happy with it,” he noted. Reflecting on the saga, the player added: “I am very happy, as I also said: these are things every footballer can experience. Ultimately I stayed, and I am very happy about that.” Voetbalzone noted that Hadj Moussa’s four goals in September came from an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.8, highlighting his extreme efficiency from seven total shots, four of which were on target.
Historical Treble for Feyenoord in Eredivisie Monthly Honors
Feyenoord swept the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie monthly awards for September, marking the first time in the history of the league’s monthly polls that all three major honors went to a single club, Voetbalzone reported. Alongside Hadj Moussa taking Player of the Month, teammate Givairo Read captured the Johan Cruijff Talent of the Month award following four assists and strong defensive metrics. Meanwhile, Giovanni van Bronckhorst secured the Rinus Michels Coach of the Month prize, praised by the league for maintaining tactical continuity and fielding teenagers like Jerayno Schaken and Jivayno Zinhagel. Feyenoord collected nine points from three matches in September, outscoring opponents with a +14 goal differential that included a 1-3 win over N.E.C., a 0-7 demolition of PEC Zwolle, and a 5-0 victory against FC Utrecht.
Tactical Brilliance and Defensive Vulnerabilities Highlighted by Pundits
Pundits and former professionals have offered varied assessments of Hadj Moussa’s unique skill set and how opponents attempt to neutralize him. Speaking on FC Rijnmond and reported by FR12.nl, former Feyenoord player Jesron Cabral praised the winger’s entertainment value. “A joy to watch, a player you come to the stadium for,” Cabral said, noting that while Hadj Moussa still makes mistakes, he can break open a match from nothing. Former defender Tom Beugelsdijk expressed surprise at how FC Utrecht defended the winger, criticizing left-back Souffian El Karouani (referenced in source coverage as Zagré) for backing off too far during the September encounters. Conversely, RTV Rijnmond journalist Dennis van Eersel pointed out that when opponents deploy double-marking schemes, Hadj Moussa can occasionally become invisible and struggle to pick out teammates, signaling an area for continued development.
Upcoming Eredivisie Test Against League Leaders AZ
With September’s accolades secured, Hadj Moussa and Feyenoord turn their focus to an upcoming Eredivisie fixture against league leaders AZ. If Hadj Moussa scores at least two goals against the Alkmaar side, he will match a historic Feyenoord milestone previously achieved only by Cor van der Gijp in 1962 and Pierre van Hooijdonk in 2003, who both managed multi-goal performances in three consecutive league matches, according to FR12.nl. “It is a nice test for us,” Hadj Moussa said. “AZ has a great team and we will give everything for matches like this.”
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