Kees Smit
Country: Netherlands
Date of birth: 21/01/2006 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Heiloo (Netherlands)
Height: —
Youth career: De Foresters, AZ Alkmaar (since 2015)
Current club: AZ Alkmaar
Squad number: —
Current national team: Netherlands U-17
Position: defensive midfielder, central midfielder
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: UEFA Youth League 2022/2023 (6/1)
Contract until: 30.06.2024
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Toni Kroos
Strengths:
– passing 
– vision
– technique
– ball control
– football IQ
– teamwork
– composure
– tackling 
– ability to read the game
– work rate
– positioning
– versatility
– ambidexterity
To improve:
– good body mass ratio and he’s not afraid of contact duels but still needs to build more muscles and keep developing his physical strength
– aerial duels
Style of play:
– deep-lying playmaker/midfield controller
– has all the qualities to play higher as a midfield playmaker as well
– well-rounded and tactically intelligent midfielder
– likes to dictate tempo using his good vision, passing ability at all distances, and natural technique to create dynamism in the team’s build-up process
– elegant on the ball with very good technical ability and close control
– excellent range of passing at all distances
– very high football IQ and spatial awareness
– always keeps his head up and scans the pitch before receiving the ball
– cultured passer with a proclivity for breaking the lines with intricate vertical balls
– difficult to knock off the ball thanks to his ability to shield the ball and close control
– constantly asking for the ball and often is an additional passing option thanks to his positional awareness and understanding of the game
– more than capable of recognizing when to speed up and slow down the game when necessary
– great composure and retention skills under pressure/press-resistant player
– superb footwork and ability to maneuver in small spaces
– very mature with superb decision-making for a player of his age
– high number of touches and passes per game
– his reading of the game helps him anticipate attacking threats and break down opposition attacks through well-timed interceptions
– good work rate and tenacity in the defensive phase
– interesting shooting skills with both feet even though he doesn’t shoot very often
– knows how and when to make smart tactical fouls
– operates very comfortably with his weaker left foot
– competent direct and indirect set-piece taker
Smit creates a big chance with a superb through ball.
Smit stays calm under heavy pressure and plays a superb line-breaking pass.
Smit orchestrates the play from deep with his great passing skills and vision.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Defensive midfielder in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
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League summary (as for 27 March 2023):
Eerste Divisie 2022/2023 (ongoing): 3 games/0 goals (Jong AZ)
Description:
Kees Smit joined the superb AZ Alkmaar youth academy from De Foresters in 2015. He is considered to be one of the most talented teenagers in the Netherlands. He is one of the leaders of a very interesting generation of AZ U-19 academy players which includes, among others Wouter Goes, Lewis Schouten, Jayden Addai, Ernest Poku, Mexx Meerdink, Enoch Mastoras, Dave Kwakman, Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro, Maxim Dekker, Fedde de Jong, and Myron van Brederode. He is also a regular youth international for the Netherlands – he started at the U-16 level and now he’s one of the stars of the U-17 team.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.
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