Football Season Guide

FC Groningen

In


Michael Verrips (gk) Fortuna Sittard, Liam van Gelderen (def) Ajax U21, Joey Pelupessy (mid) Giresunpor, Nordin Musampa (def) Ajax U21, Ragnar Oratmangoen (att) Go Ahead Eagles, Joël van Kaam (def) Emmen back from loan, Ramon Pascal Lundqvist (mid) Panathinaikos back from loan, Patrick Joosten (att) Cambuur back from loan, Kian Slor (att) Emmen back from loan, Sam Schreck (mid) Erzgebirge Aue back from loan

Out


Bjorn Meijer (r)(def) Club Brugge, Bart van Hintum (r)(def) PEC Zwolle, Mohammed El Hankouri (r)(att) Magdeburg

In the past season Trots van het Noorden have definitely disappointed expectations, it was expected a placement in the top 8, as in the previous year, while they finished in 12th position, just two points above the playout zone. Their experience in the KNVB Beker ended in the third round, defeated by NEC. During the summer the squad wasn't turned upside-down, yet there were some significant departures. As expected, Groningen's best revelation of last season, left-back Bjorn Meijer was sold abroad. Two other regular players like captain Mo El Hankouri and defender Bart van Hintum left the north of the Netherlands. With regard to the incoming market few players have been purchased and no particularly important names. It is worth mentioning two former Sheffield Wednesday players, midfielder Joey Pelupessy and goalkeeper Michael Verrips, as well as two youngsters coming from Ajax U21, center-back Nordin Musampa and right-back Liam van Gelderen. However, they can also count on few players returning from loans. Compared to last season the team has remained largely unchanged, while the novelty must be found on the bench where will sit former Heracles Almelo Frank Wormuth. The experienced German coach could opt either for the 4-2-3-1 or, more probably, for the 4-3-3 system of play.

Target


Groningen look like a complete team in every sector and, with a bit of good luck and the experience of coach Wormuth, can hope to qualify for the playoffs.