AZ Alkmaar Eredivisie 2025/2026 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

AZ Alkmaar had an intriguing 2024/25 season to say the very least. While there were highs, a lurking low was always inevitably around the corner. While, for example, solid recruitment saw them fill the goal-scoring void left by Vangelis Pavlidis’ transfer with Troy Parrott, the AZ campaign came to something of a tired halt.

The eventual fifth-place team faltered under the strain of several key competitions, and this all seemed to come together for a rotten April. Here, the AFAS Stadion residents slipped down out of elite European contention, struggled in the wake of exiting the Europa League at the quarter-final stage, and lost the KNVB Cup final to Go Ahead Eagles on penalties.

While they eventually managed to stick out a sprawling hand towards the end of the term and grasp a ticket to the Conference League qualifiers, it’s not quite the vision Maarten Martens would’ve had for his aspirational group – one that he has done well not to lose too many from. The 2025/26 season will no doubt be about trying to penetrate the upper reaches of the Eredivisie and make a mark in both the cup and UECL.

Transfers in: Isak Jensen (Viborg FF), Mateo Chávez (Chivas Guadalajara), Elijah Dijkstra (AZ Alkmaar U18s).

Transfers out: Ruben van Bommel (PSV), Jayden Addai (Como), David Møller Wolfe (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Key player: Mexx Meerdink

While Troy Parrott was a fine force in front of goal last season, it can’t be overstated the impact Mexx Meerdink also had for AZ. In 29 Eredivisie games, the 22-year-old scored 13 goals in a great breakout campaign that saw him register his most minutes in an Alkmaar shirt.

With a goal and an assist in the Conference League qualifiers already, 2025/26 hints at yet another big season for the forward who somehow missed out on the Jong Oranje team that got to the U21 Euro semis.

Young player to watch: Kees Smit

A little further back in the international age groups, there’s Kees Smit. A hugely influential part of the Netherlands’ first triumph in the tournament, Smit was one of four joint-top scorers with four goals and stood out as the player of the tournament with his glistening performances.

With his exploits at the Euros turning the heads of scouts all across the continent, it seems that AZ have another gem that a plethora of bigger clubs will try to pry loose. Like Meerdink’s breakout campaign, Smit’s 20 league appearances last term were his most to date. Given his superb summer, there’s absolutely no reason why he doesn’t become one of Alkmaar’s key men in 2025/26.

Transfer window needs:

To their credit, AZ’s recruitment has enabled them to stay on level terms with their departures. While Ruben van Bommel, Jayden Addai and David Møller Wolfe went to pastures new, in came winger Isak Jensen from Denmark, and Mexican left-back Mateo Chávez, while Elijah Dijkstra came up from the U18s to provide a new option at right-back.

The main thing for AZ, as if it wasn’t clear already, is damage limitation with an eye for future departures. Similarly to Van Bommel, Sven Mijnans has been linked to PSV, while realistically, it doesn’t feel like Kees Smit, Mexx Meerdink or Troy Parrot will be at Alkmaar for years to come. So far, Martens’ team are on terms with their leavers, yet further depth to vulnerable departments could brace them well for when the clubs start circling again in January.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield