Player Focus: Remember the Name - Jeffrey Gouweleeuw

“Defending”, according to former midfielder-turned-analyst Jan van Halst, is “almost a dirty word” in the Netherlands. It’s not surprising when the underlying coaching philosophy is attack-oriented, that when it comes to defenders they’re expected to combine the art of defending with playmaking. A contemporary example is Jeffrey Gouweleeuw.

To begin, it’s worth mentioning that when describing a position (each with several basic tasks) in the Netherlands a number is used. Gouweleeuw, who joined AZ from Heerenveen this summer, is a ‘number three’ or ball-playing central defender.

However, when it comes to Gouweleeuw a few liberties are taken. His natural instinct is to start, continue and finish the attack. One particular move he orchestrated against FC Groningen in April 2012 was described by de Volkskrant as having a “touch of [Franco] Baresi”.

“He was a bit before my time,” the Heemskerk native said in response to the legendary Italian being a role model. If not Baresi, who? Gouweleeuw does have a source of inspiration closer to his age. Like many he’s looked to FC Barcelona, a rare example of a foreign team heavily shaped by the ‘Dutch-Ajax school’. Gerard Piqué, who he’s likened himself to, is his reference.

A “footballing defender” is his description of the Spaniard. “I hope to become as good as him.” There are certain similarities such as kicking technique, running and dribbling style, poise, stance and heading. His former teammate Michel Breuer favourably compared him to Lúcio.

At just over six-foot tall he’s not the most imposing, though it’s not an issue as far as he’s concerned, again using Piqué as an example: “He doesn’t resort to physicality, instead resolves situations through good positional sense, once in possession he is of value to his team”. Gouweleeuw would rather his vision, skill on the ball, technique and passing were recognised first and foremost. And that is proving to be the case.

Ever present this season, he’s number one for AZ when it comes to passes (687 – 57.3 per game). Meanwhile, his success rate of 83.3% is highest of any player at the club with 10 appearances or more – adhering to the Cruyffian principle that the ‘number three’ needs to have the “best ball handling skills” because “they bring you out of trouble and set up the forwards”.

Such is Gouweleeuw’s comfort when stepping into midfield that there was a suggestion of being converted into a deep-lying playmaker. In another generation he would be the ideal libero. As expected, his passing is varied – no AZ player has completed more accurate long balls (76) – though his favourite is the cross-field ball executed from the right-back position.

It’s easy to get carried away as a defender when you’re encouraged to be involved in the attacking aspect of the game. Indeed, Gouweleeuw has often fallen into the trap with his concentration and positional discipline coming under scrutiny. However, twelve games into the season there’s balance; one characteristic of the ball-playing centre-back is his ability to read the game very well and intercept: no player in the Eredivisie has done so more often (48).

The moment he marauds forward is when you start to appreciate his all-round game – technical prowess and fleet of foot – he’s yet to add to his five career league goals having had eight shots so far this season. Nonetheless he remains a real handful at set-pieces and is utilised as an extra target man when his side is chasing a late goal.

Furthermore, numbers aside, just from watching him the 22-year old looks a different player to last year. Gouweleeuw’s second full season at Heerenveen was stop-start. That was in contrast to his previous campaign; announcing himself as a one-man wrecking crew, making last ditch tackles and popping up at the other end. His exuberance and unhealthy obsession to attack gave the impression of being controlled by a remote control in the crowd, but there was no denying his potential. Ron Jans, his then manager, breathlessly described him as the “star of tomorrow”.

By now, attracting foreign interest, he felt it was time for a change of scenery, but made it clear leaving the Netherlands wasn’t an option. He didn’t outgrow the Friesian club, whom he joined from local side ADO ’20 in 2006 as a 15-year old, just his education could be continued elsewhere. After much speculation it was confirmed he would be taking his talents to Alkmaar.

They ticked all the right boxes; a playing style that would complement his buccaneering approach and the chance to work under a manager certain to improve the defensive and tactical side of his game. It was brief, but time spent with Gertjan Verbeek was productive.

He’s no longer here, there and everywhere but even so Gouweleeuw sees his mobility as an asset – a player dictated by kinetics, which enables him to move between attack and defence effortlessly. There have been occasions when (for example) deciding to become an auxiliary winger – after seeing empty space – has led to a goal. It just needed to be in moderation, which is the case now.

Compared to a year ago there’s a maturity and calmness to his game. He knows exactly when to move into midfield and the right pass to make, while without possession his positioning is more disciplined. His understanding with the experienced Jan Wuytens in the centre of defence strengthens with each passing game (clean sheets in the last two) much to the pleasure of Verbeek’s successor Dick Advocaat. He’s not been at the club for long but has quickly emerged as one of their ‘technical leaders’ and with an average of 7.31 is AZ’s highest rated player by WhoScored.

Gouweleeuw, nonetheless, remains a diamond in the rough but polished he could be put in the same company as Ronald Koeman or Danny Blind. That’s not to say he will become as celebrated but he’s cut from the same cloth, preserving the lineage of the archetypal Dutch ‘number three’.