Groningen’s Young Defender Is a Underrated Gem

The Netherlands got here again strongly within the 2022 World Cup after their failure to qualify for the earlier version. The Oranje managed to achieve the quarter-finals, the place they misplaced to Argentina by the barest of margins. Nonetheless, by the point of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Dutch may have a robust squad, with a number of of their gamers anticipated to hit their prime by then. Nonetheless, the staff can even want different gamers to be at their finest, which is the place big hopes have been pinned on gamers like Thijmen Blokzijl.

The 18-year-old has been among the best gamers to come back out of Groningen’s youth academy in recent times. And for this, he has been duly rewarded by being included within the senior staff for the 2022-23 season. Blokzijl has grabbed the chance with each palms and has proven that he is likely one of the finest younger abilities within the Eredivisie. 

So, who’s Thijmen Blokzijl, and the way good is he?

Who’s Thijmen Blokzijl

Thijmen Blokzijl was born on February 25 februari 2005 in Groningen. Blokzjil had a eager curiosity in soccer from a younger age and started his footballing journey at 5 years by becoming a member of native membership Velocitas 1897. He would spend the following 5 years on the membership earlier than becoming a member of Be Fast 1887, who play within the Vierde Divisie, the second-highest novice league on the planet.

Nonetheless, solely a yr later, Groningen, the most important membership within the space, got here calling, and the teenager wasted no time becoming a member of the staff. Within the 2019-20 season, Blokzijl was promoted to the under-17s, the place he made two appearances.

The next season he earned one other promotion, this time to the under-18s, the place he made six appearances. His spectacular performances earned him a call-up to the under-21s and Blokzijl for the 2021-22 season, the place he would rating one purpose and supply one help.

🥳 De jarige Thijmen Blokzijl zat altijd met zijn opa op de Piet Fransen Tribune. De laatste weken is Thijmen vaste basisklant in Euroborg.

Waar zit jij straks? Tot zo!💚#GROEXC pic.twitter.com/vldfFI723x

— FC Groningen (@fcgroningen) February 25, 2023

Thijmen Blokzijl stats

Within the present season, Thijmen Blokzijl made 12 video games for the under-21s. And his performances had been so spectacular that newly appointed head coach Dennis van der Ree handed him his debut on January 8, 2023. In the identical month, he would additionally get his first help in a 3-2 loss in opposition to FC Volendam.

Blokzijl performed 13 consecutive video games earlier than he suffered an ankle damage which has precipitated him to overlook the current video games. Nonetheless, taking a look at his stats from fbref exhibits one factor: Blokzijl is a really good participant with the ball at his ft. The defender carries the ball 256 metres each match on common each recreation, out of which 152 metres is progressive, each of which places him among the many high eight percentile of defenders.

As well as, he additionally averages 0.96 progressive carries into the penalty space per 90 minutes, which once more places him within the high eight percentile of defenders. This season he has additionally by no means been tackled whereas trying a take-ons, a superb achievement for a participant in his first senior-team season.

Learn extra:

Thijmen Blokzijl scout report 

Thijmen Blokzijl is a participant that’s not a superb passer however likes to create alternatives by operating with the ball. The truth is, his ball expertise are so spectacular for his age that he might simply transition to a midfielder sooner or later if such a scenario arises.

His defensive numbers usually are not spectacular, however there’s a robust purpose behind it. Since Blokzijl has wonderful imaginative and prescient, most of the time, he snuffs out the opposition’s assault not by means of tackles or interceptions however by means of his positioning.

Nonetheless, one space the place he might make a whole lot of enchancment is his passing. Whereas he is a superb ball service, Blokzijl doesn’t convey that prime degree of play together with his passing. This has allowed the opposition to strain him by deploying a excessive press which could possibly be a priority for him sooner or later.

Thijmen Blokzijl switch information 

Thijmen Blokzijl’s rise has been so swift that even the golf equipment with the perfect scouting networks didn’t know a lot about him. That is the explanation that to this point, no credible information has emerged about his departure from the membership.

His damage had added to the considerations with the opposite golf equipment, undecided when he can be totally match. Nonetheless, Blokzijl’s abilities are in spades; golf equipment are sure to come back eventually for him. The perfect course for now can be to proceed his development at Groningen and turn into an undisputed starter for the staff.