Eredivisie 2024/25 preview: PEC Zwolle | OneFootball

Last season was PEC Zwolle’s first campaign back in the top flight following an incredible Eerste Divisie triumph, and it’s fair to say that Johnny Jansen did a super job at keeping the club up, and keeping them up comfortably. Hopes are running high heading into the new season, with the belief that Zwolle build on last season’s success. However, a number of adjustments need to made if they want to achieve big things this term. A poor pre-season and a relatively underwhelming transfer window indicate things could be trickier for the club than what people are predicting.

Last season’s position: 12th

Transfers In: Braydon Manu (Darmstadt), Thomas Buitink (Vitesse), Thierry Lutonda (RKC Waalwijk), Tristan Gooijer (Ajax on loan), Dylan Mbayo (Kortrijk on loan)

Transfers Out: Sam Kersten (Heerenveen), Bram van Polen (VVOG), Lennart Thy (LC Sailors), Dean Huiberts (Beerschot), Younes Namli (Released)

Overview: Four defeats from six pre-season games is never a good look heading into a new season, but with so much change taking place throughout the summer, i’s always going to take me to shift into a new system. PEC Zwolle have also lost their top scorer from last season, Lennart Thy, who netted 13 crucial goals. If they want to improve this season they’ll have to bring in more firepower as Thy’s departure will leave a huge mark.

Defensively Zwolle have got to improve. They conceded 67 goals last term, one of the highest in the entire league, which wasn’t helped by a 5-0 defeat to Feyenoord, 5-1 to Utrecht and 7-1 to PSV. Ajax’s Tristan Gooijer and Thierry Lutonda from Waalwijk have been brought into help at the back, but they’re in desperate need of a solid centre-half to help steady the ship.

It’ll be a tricky start for Zwolle with Feyenoord, Twente, Utrecht, NEC and Heracles being their first five opponents. Judging by last season, they were always able to bounce back from defeats which they’ll definitely be capable of this time round. A few more incomings in attack and at the back and they’ll be looking up the league table.

GBeNeFN | Jonas Fielding