Why Europe’s Leading Clubs Are Eager to Sign AZ’s Midfield Sensation Kees Smit

It’s a significant challenge for the Dutch outfit, even though they haven’t suffered a home defeat since late January and have clinched three consecutive victories at the AFAS Stadion without conceding a goal.

Smit has Europe’s elite watching closely

Every AZ player must perform at their peak, while also hoping for a slip-up from their Ukrainian opponents to have a shot at a semi-final spot. Manager Leeroy Echteld may be counting on one particular player to keep their European aspirations alive.

At just 20 years old, Kees Smit has the top clubs across Europe salivating, and it’s easy to see why.

Dutch head coach Ronald Koeman recently drew parallels between Smit and Barcelona star Pedri, stating: “The way he turns away from his opponent, how he surveys the pitch, his adeptness with both feet… I see a lot of Pedri in him.

“If he achieves half of what Pedri has done, we’ll be thoroughly pleased in the Netherlands.”

Commended by Rio Ferdinand

Former England veteran, Rio Ferdinand, shares the sentiment regarding the young midfielder’s potential.

“Kees Smit is the real deal, I’m telling you,” he remarked.

“I hope he breaks through and dazzles the world. If we (Man Utd) have to wait six months or a year for him, I have no qualms, because we absolutely cannot let him join another club.”

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid, among many other clubs, are reportedly keeping a close eye on Smit’s future, which could see him move on sooner rather than later.

Path open for a significant transfer

“Essentially, I want to play regularly; that’s crucial for me,” Smit expressed after AZ’s Conference League success over Sparta Prague.

“I could remain at AZ, but I don’t foresee that happening.”

This comes close to a ‘come and get me’ appeal from the player, and despite having a contract that extends until summer 2028, a compelling bid for his services could prove effective.

Smit caught the spotlight when he played an integral role in the Netherlands U19 team’s victory at the 2025 European Championship, where he was also named Player of the Tournament.

Having played 30 matches last season for AZ, the talented midfielder has already amassed 43 appearances in the ongoing 2025/26 season, surpassing previous seasons with four goals and eight assists.

Versatile talent

Whether operating as a No.10 or a deep-lying playmaker, he has become vital, frequently dictating the pace and rhythm of AZ’s matches.

Only Sven Mijnans has created more chances than Smit’s 61 across competitions this season, while his impressive 87.8% pass completion rate is surpassed only by Wouter Goes and Alexandre Penetra among AZ players who have made over 1,500 passes this campaign.

Out of Smit’s 2,010 passes, 1,295 were made in the opposition half, with 1,126 of these being successful. While his accuracy in the opponent’s half dips slightly to 87%, it’s still the top success rate in the squad, apart from Jordy Clasie, who has significantly fewer passes in that area (344).

Beyond his clear offensive skills, the midfielder is not afraid to get stuck in when the situation demands a more robust approach.

While perhaps an underappreciated aspect of his game, Smit has engaged in the second-highest number of one-on-one duels within the squad (390), and his 207 ball recoveries in the 2025/26 season rank him at the top among AZ outfield players.

With 74 attempted tackles, he stands only behind Mateo Chavez (82), Mees De Wit (100), and Peer Koopmeiners (124), yet boasts a 70.3% success rate that surpasses all of those mentioned.

As an all-around talent, pinpointing any genuine weaknesses in his game is challenging. If he indeed heads off to new horizons this summer, AZ will undoubtedly feel his absence in the 2026/27 season.

Considering the player’s own aspirations, the team lucky enough to secure him is likely to get a significant bargain, as no club desires a player who might stir discontent in the dressing room, and AZ is not in a position to hold prospective buyers hostage either.

Make sure to remember the name…