Football Season Guide

Excelsior

In


Stijn van Gassel (gk), Helmond Sport), Redouan El Yaakoubi (def), Telstar), Thijs Dallinga (att), Groningen), Sven Nieuwpoort (def), Cambuur)

Out


Elias Omarson (k)(att), Nimea), Thomas Oude Kotte (r)(def), Vendsyssel), Luigi Bruins (r)(mid), Smitshoek), Sander Fischer (r)(def), Capelle), Thomas Verhaar (sp)(mid), AFC Amsterdam), Robin van der Meer (r)(def), Helmond Sport), Hervé Matthys (r)(def), Ahmad Mendes Moreira (r)(att), Alessandro Damen (r)(gk), Niek den Heeten (sp)(mid), Dylan Seys (sp)(att), Helmond Sport), Joël Zwarts (r))(att), Jahn Regensburg), Mitchell van Rooijen (sp)(mid), Utrecht - end of loan), Sondre Skogen (sp)(def), Feyenoord - end of loan)

Excelsior finished last season just outside of the play-off places and were left with a bit of regret of not actually pushing through until the end and at least getting involved in the tussle for promotion. They ran out of steam in the final couple of months, winning just three of their final ten games, and that proved their undoing. Marinus Duijkhiizen will now lbe ooking to inspire a more consistent and solid side and he knows the club quite well, having been one one of the more established coaches in the league in recent years. Losing 22-goal striker Elias Omarson to French side Nimes just ten days before the start of the season is a massive blow and it remains to be seen who will fill his boots but at least the aim will be keeping attacking midfielder Reuven Nijmeijer in squad during the summer transfer window. In terms of new signings, it has been quite low-key so far. Stijn van Gassel is the main new signing so far and he is a solid keeper that is ready to be a regular. Otherwise, the options in the heart of defence are quite bare, with three untried young players the main options so far. Certainly more players in wide areas will be needed. Excelsior's squad at the moment is certainly just not ready for the start of the season and it is hard to be making too many conclusions but it is hard to see them pushing for a spot in the top of the table again.

Target


Might push for the play-offs if things break their way but more likely finish around 10th place.