PEC Zwolle Eredivisie 2025/2026 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

PEC Zwolle improved on their first season back in the Eredivisie with a 10th place finish last season. No team that doesn’t play in red has won the league for decades, and while it is unlikely PEC Zwolle will win their first Eredivisie title this season, they will be hoping for continued progression under new head coach Hendrik van der Vegt. The new man in charge will have to do without two key midfielders from last season, with winger Filip Krastev also having returned to Lommel in Belgium.

Transfers in: Tom de Graff (FC Utrecht), Koen Kostons (Paderborn), Thijs Oosting (FC Groningen),

Transfers out: Mohamed Oukhattou (Sparta Rotterdam), Mike Hauptmeijer (Bali United), Teun Gijselhart (De Graafschap), Kenneth Vermeer (Free), Davy van den Berg (FC Utrecht), Anouar El Azzouzi (Fortuna Dusseldorf)

Key player: Simon Graves

The Danish defender joined the side last season and impressed in his 27 games for the side. He was involved in more defensive actions than 85% of the leagues central defenders and won more aerial duels than 61%. He was also involved in the sides build up play, having 77% more touches than other defenders in the league, with an 87.4% pass accuracy rating.

Young player to watch: Oliver Aertssen

20-year-old Aertssen joined Graves in the PEC Zwolle defence as the sides right-back. The 20-year-old played 20 games, scoring one goal. Like Graves, he was heavily involved in winning aerial duels (82% compared to players in his position) and defensive actions (98% comparatively). The defender started 14 of his 20 games for PEC Zwolle last season and will hope to feature more during this campaign.

Transfer window needs:

Despite signing a number of forwards, the side on paper at least look light on goals without bringing Verde back to the club. Kostons didn’t fire for Kortrijk during his loan spell, while Oosting also only scored four goals in 24 games for Groningen last season. If Cape Verde international Jamiro Monteiro can step up and add to his three goals and two assists form midfield that would help, while others will need to step into the shoes left by the likes of El Azzouzi and van den Berg.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson