Football Season Guide

The past season represented a step forward for PSV after 3 disappointing campaigns: not only they brought home some silverware, the KNVB Cup and the Johann Crujff Schaal, but they also fared decently in Europe while missing the Dutch title by 2 points only. Both direct league clashes against Ajax, the eventual champions, proved deadly for them. To everyone's disappointment, though, coach Roger Schmidt, the architect of their re-birth, left for pastures new and the management gave legendary Ruud Van Nistelrooy the reins of the team, despite his limited experience as head coach at U18 and U21 levels. Coach Schmidt's departure was not the only one that struck PSV over the summer. In fact, Gotze, their genius attacking midfielder, and Zahavi, their second-most prolific striker, also opted to leave and to return to their home countries. The German could be replaced by Til, coming off a valid season at Feyenoord, with 19-year-old new-comer Xavi Simons ready to step in when needed. On the other hand, the aging and injury-prone Israeli striker should be replaced by a well-known face at Philips Stadion, former star De Jong, now 31 and returning from a short and disappointing spell in Spain. Back-up wingers Bruma and Doan also left (15 goals and 4 assists between them), with the latter bringing in precious cash to PSV safes, and they should see their substitutes coming from the junior team ranks, Bakayoko and Antonisse. Mvogo, a protagonist between the sticks towards the end of the campaign, returned to his parent club and in came Argentinean Benitez from Nice. The latter should be preferred to at-time-disappointing Drommel in goals. Right-back Hoever and centre-back Luckassen also arrived and they could be given relevant playing time: the latter, in particular, could profit from Boscagli's long-lasting absence due to injury. More departures and arrivals could occur in the coming weeks: the management are waiting for the results of the Champions League qualifiers before investing bigger money in the market.