Football Season Guide

AZ U21 were definitely a rather disappointing side last season as they struggled for any sort of rhythm and momentum and unlike the likes of Ajax and PSV U21s, they were constantly changing from game to game in terms of line-up. That definitely played a part in one of their more frustrating and poor seasons in terms of points gained and general performance, finishing only above the bottom two places at the end and winning just twice at home until the final couple of games on home soil. Frank Peneboom will be looking for higher level of performances and generally more energy and drive from his side as the looks to improve on the total from last season. AZ's academy is definitely still producing some top talent and the options that are going to come into the squad will not be too shabby but it will be up to the coach to find the right solutions and make this team more than a sum of their parts. They signed a few interesting players from other academies whilst at the same time hoping that the likes of Jasper Hertog and Julian Oerip in midfield and Rayan Atikallah and Kiani Inge at the back further develop this season and become mainstays. Yoel van der Ban also showed glimpses as a main striker last season, getting seven goals in 17 starts, and could become more of a goalscoring presence this season. The ingredients are thus there and the expectations at the minimum are for this team to compete for a mid-table spot.