Football Season Guide

The past season was a rather positive one for NEC, who were returning to the top flight of the Dutch football after 4 seasons spent in the Eerste Divisie. In fact, they ended up on the 11th standing, only 3 points away from a qualification to the Europa Conference League playoffs. Coach Rogier Meijer’s boys could have actually aimed at more than salvation, had they not lost 8 out of the last 11 games (W2 D1). Not particularly solid at the back, NEC had serious problems offensively and it is no surprise as they relied mostly on 19-year-old Akman, who scored only once since mid-December. Akman returned to his parent club, while their top scorer, winger Okita, capable of 7 goals and 6 assists, left for pastures new, thus leaving their attack depleted. 24-year-old striker Marques arrived from Sporting after a season spent mostly on the sidelines and, at the moment, is carrying the weight of the attack all alone. NEC lost one more starter in centre-back Odenthal, who was properly replaced by Kramer, arriving on loan from AZ, while Bukusu, coming from Helmond Sport, should represent a valid alternative at the back, with Guth also gone. An aging Barreto, a major player in the middle of the park, was let retire despite his expecting an extension of the deal with the club. 20-year-old Baldursson, on loan from Bologna, is set to become a protagonist of the midfield in the future but he currently does not seem ready enough, which is a problem with Schone already 35. On the other hand, attacking midfielder Tannane could be given some relevant playing time.