Every week, OneFootball introduces you to the new faces of world football. Maybe you’ve already heard of him, but just in case, let’s head to the Netherlands, where Kees Smit is making Europe’s giants fall at his feet!
In the talent factory that is AZ Alkmaar, young Kees Smit is standing out from the crowd. A brilliant midfielder with silky technique and sharp game intelligence, he’s already attracting the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs.
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At the same time, observers are full of praise for the native of Heiloo. At just 19 years old, Smit is already being compared to some of the game’s greats, notably by Ronald Koeman.
«I have to be careful what I say, but I coached Pedri in Barcelona and I see a lot of similarities with Kees Smit,» said the Netherlands coach after giving the young midfielder his first call-up to the senior squad in November.
Capable of playing the ball out from the back under pressure to direct play, but also skillful in the final third, the AZ midfielder already has a very complete skill set.
His ability to shine around the opponent’s penalty area is reflected in the stats, as he has already provided six assists and scored two goals this season.
Such a rare profile in modern football that Liverpool is reportedly already ready to splash out €25 million to secure his services, according to Dutch outlet Soccer News. Sky Sports also reports that heavyweights like FC Barcelona, Newcastle, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are tracking him!
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Well on his way to being called up for the World Cup, will Kees Smit be the revelation of the tournament?
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.
📸 TOBIAS KLEUVER
