Football Season Guide

MVV Maastricht

In


Orhan Džepar (mid), Helmond Sport), Allan Delferriere (def), Standard - loan), Mitchy Ntelo (att), Standard - loan), Lucas Kalala (def), Standard - loan), Thijmen Nijhuis (gk), Utrecht - loan)

Out


Luc Mares (r)(def), Start), Jerome Déom (r)(mid), Eupen), Thibaut Van Acker (r)(md), Lierse), Manuel Angiulli (r)(def), Mouscron), Joy-Lance Mickels (r)(att), Sabah), Arne Naudts (r)(att), Patro Eisden), Koen Kostons (r)(att), Brem Soumaoro (r)(def), Raoul Last (sp)(def), Thibaut Rausin (gk), Hamoir), Oussama Zamouri (sp)(mid), Gaston Salasiwa (r)(def), Shermar Martina (sp)(def), Djibril Dianessy (sp)(att), Fortuna Sittard - end of loan), Mike Havekotte (r)(gk), ADO Den Haag - end of loan), Timo Stavitski (sp)(att), Caen - end of loan)

MVV had a mostly underwhelming season last year as they always seemed safe and sound in mid-table but never really mustered a push for the top eight and just looked devoid of ambition and quality. They make a fresh start this week as Kees Wils moves on as the new coach, replacing Darje Kalezic, after having a good campaign with Oss last year. The new man in the dugout is facing a rather steep task this year though as the squad looks very much short on numbers and experience with just over ten days left before the start of the season. The Maastricht side lost almost all of their key players and regulars from last season, including main striker Arne Naudts and the two most consistent midfielders in Thibault Van Acker and Jerome Deom. The breakout player from last season, Luc Mares, is another one heading into pastures new as he signed for Start in Norway. On the other hand, the only new additions so far are a few youth players from affiliated club Standard Liege, none of whom look particularly ready for first-team football. It seems like MVV will have to rely on what they have and try to get another few young players on loan before the start of the season, with the need for attackers most pressing at the moment. Wils has a couple of promising players in defence in Tim Ziegers and Matteo Waem that he can build on but the lack of pace in the wide areas is another source of concern. Overall, this MVV squad looks pretty much one of the three weakest in the league at the moment and it will be a real challenge for these young players if more reinforcements do not come.

Target


Expected to struggle at the bottom end of the standings.