Telstar Eredivisie 2025/2026 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

Telstar are back in the top flight for the first time in decades after surprising everyone with their victory over Willem II in the play-offs. However, they have since lost their talismanic striker in Youssef El Kachati. The 25-year-old bagged 19 league goals in 37 games for the side but left this summer to join NEC. Telstar are many favourites to go straight back down, but the side managed to spring a surprise last season, perhaps they can do that again this year.

Transfers in: Daan Rezeiger (SC Cambuur), Milan Zonneveld (Quick Boys), Nigel Ogidi Nwankwo (Quick Boys), Patrick Brouwer (Quick Boys), Neville Ogidi Nwankwo (FC Utrecht, loan)

Transfers out: Youssef El Kachati (NEC), Mees Kaandorp (Wadi Degla), Mitch Apau (Spankenburg), Tom Overtoom (Rijnsburgse B), Mohamed Hamdaoui (free), Jayden Turfkruier (free), Reda Kharchouch (free), Achraf Douiri (free), Joey Houweling (free)

Key player: Ronald Koeman

Yes, the Telstar goalkeeper is the son of the current Dutch head coach, and yes he did give him his name. This Koeman plays in goal, and during the play-offs he was pivotal for the side as they got promoted. Can the 30-year-old repeat those heroics? Telstar will certainly be hoping he can.

Young player to watch: Nils Rossen

20-year-old Rossen had a stellar season for Telstar last year. In 35 league games he grabbed eight assists. The former NEC man left the Eredivisie back in the summer of 2024 and is back in the league with a chance to prove that his former club made a mistake.

Transfer window needs:

As you can see, the side have been almost exclusively shopping at Quick Boys. By no means a bad thing, given their success in the third tier. However, they are reliant on these boys to step up, especially forward Milan Zonneveld, who scored 17 goals for Quick Boys last season. The other forward signed from the side, Patrick Brouwer, also chipped in with 17 goals and 10 assists for the side. Many neutrals will want to see Telstar defy the odds, but at the moment the squad looks like it lacks the top flight experience it needs to stay up.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson