Anis Hadj Moussa has revitalized his form at Feyenoord following a turbulent summer transfer window, crediting manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst for rebuilding his confidence and guiding his recent performances, Soccernews.nl reported. The Algerian winger, who pushed for a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad before being blocked by the Rotterdam club, has emerged as a central figure in the Eredivisie squad after overcoming the disappointment of the failed transfer.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst Restores Form After Blocked Al-Ittihad Transfer
The summer transfer window brought intense speculation for Hadj Moussa when Al-Ittihad pursued the winger with a lucrative contract offer. Feyenoord ultimately refused to sanction the sale, a decision that initially impacted the player’s focus. The situation grew tense enough that Van Bronckhorst left Hadj Moussa out of the squad to face NEC after the player arrived late and appeared distracted by the ongoing transfer soap.
Reflecting on the saga in an interview with Voetbal International cited by Headliner, Hadj Moussa admitted the ordeal weighed heavily on him. It started to get into my head at that moment, which is bad for a player,
he said. At the time it hurt and it affects you, but now it is over and done with. Now I am giving a hundred percent here.
Despite the early-season friction, Van Bronckhorst publicly praised the winger as an artist and maintained open communication. That relationship proved pivotal. Speaking to ESPN, Hadj Moussa emphasized the close bond he shares with his current coach. He is a coach I appreciate enormously,
Hadj Moussa stated. He talks a lot with me, he helps me and we stand very close to each other. With Robin van Persie it was slightly closer, but with the coach of now it is almost the same.
Eredivisie Efficiency and Record Pursuit Against AZ
Hadj Moussa’s return to top form has translated directly onto the pitch. The attacker scored twice against PEC Zwolle and added another two goals against FC Utrecht during September, earning him the Eredivisie Player of the Month award for the second time in his career, having previously won the honor in May 2026, according to the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie.
Statistical review highlights his clinical finishing during that stretch. League data show that Hadj Moussa recorded just seven total shots in September, with four hitting the target—resulting in four goals. His goals came from an Expected Goals (xG) total of only 0.8, meaning he outperformed his expected metrics by 3.2 goals.
That momentum sets up a historic milestone. As reported by FR12.nl, Hadj Moussa enters Saturday evening’s fixture against AZ with a chance to match a rare Feyenoord club record. If he scores at least two goals against the Alkmaar side, he will join Cor van der Gijp (1962) and Pierre van Hooijdonk (2003) as the only Feyenoord players to score two or more goals in three consecutive Eredivisie matches.
Tactical Impact and Pundit Assessment Ahead of AZ Clash
The winger’s distinctive style has drawn widespread acclaim from analysts and former professionals alike. Former Feyenoord player Jesron Cabral praised his ability to break open matches from nothing, telling FC Rijnmond in coverage highlighted by FR12.nl that Hadj Moussa represents the type of individual talent that draws fans to the stadium.
At the same time, analysts note that opponents are adapting their defensive schemes. Former defender Tom Beugelsdijk pointed out the extreme caution opposing fullbacks exhibit when defending the Algerian, while broadcaster Dennis van Eersel observed that when teams deploy disciplined double coverage, Hadj Moussa occasionally struggles to find the correct passing outlet, exposing an area for continued development.
Within the Feyenoord dressing room, however, the atmosphere remains harmonious. Hadj Moussa noted that he actively mentors younger talents, including Jerayno Schaken, offering advice following Schaken’s Goal of the Month award. Kickoff for Feyenoord’s crucial league match against AZ is scheduled for Saturday evening at 18:45 local time (16:45 UTC).
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