Latest news with #KeesSmit
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Troy Parrott produces stunning finish – his ninth goal of the season – to continue rich vein of form for AZ Alkmaar
Having scored the winner away to Vaduz in Thursday's Uefa Conference League third qualifying round second leg, the 23-year-old struck again yesterday. Kees Smit picked out Parrott in the penalty area on 55 minutes and he curled a first-time effort into the top corner in a 2-2 Eredivisie draw with FC Volendam. AZ are back in European action this week and face Levski of Bulgaria for a place in the Conference League, with the first leg taking place in Sofia on Thursday. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content French veteran striker Olivier Giroud took only 11 minutes to score on his return to Ligue 1, but it was not enough as his new side Lille drew 3-3 at Brest. Giroud was picked out by Felix Correia's clever pass behind the defense and finished with a left-footed shot under the goalkeeper. In doing so, the 38-year-old became Lille's oldest scorer in the league. Paris FC's first top-flight game in 46 years ended in a 1-0 loss at Angers, who took an early lead through Esteban Lepaul and held on despite being reduced to 10 men. Meanwhile, former Tottenham defender Eric Dier scored on his debut for Monaco as they made a winning start by beating Le Havre 3-1 at home. In Spain, Marcus Rashford made his competitive debut for Barcelona off the bench as they launched their La Liga campaign with a 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca. Rashford, bidding to reignite his career after joining Barca on loan in July, was a second-half replacement for Ferran Torres in the 69th minute. Raphinha's early header and Torres' effort midway through the first half put Hansi Flick's side in control before Mallorca midfielder Manu Morlanes was sent off for his second yellow card. Mallorca were reduced to nine men before half-time when VAR upgraded Vedat Muriqi's yellow card to a red following his foul on Joan Garcia. Raphinha and Dani Olmo both hit the woodwork and Lamine Yamal added a third goal in stoppage time. Harry Kane lifted silverware in Germany after he and former Liverpool winger Luis Diaz scored in Bayern Munich's 2-1 Franz Beckenbauer Supercup win over Stuttgart. Kane struck in the 18th minute, marking his first Supercup appearance with a goal and his seventh in five games against Stuttgart. Diaz then made sure when he ran on to Serge Gnabry's cross to head home from close range.
The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Irish international Troy Parrott scores ninth goal of the season for AZ
IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Troy Parrott scored his ninth goal of the season for AZ Alkmaar today. The Dubliner produced a clinical first-time finish from Netherlands underage international Kees Smit's low cross. The Irishman's goal gave AZ a 2-1 lead in the 54th minute, but they were ultimately left frustrated and had to settle for a 2-2 draw against newly promoted FC Volendam. The 23-year-old also scored a brace in his side's league opener last week — a 4-1 win over FC Groningen. Advertisement Parrott has also scored in all four of his Uefa Conference League appearances — finding the net in two-legged ties against Finland's Ilves Tampere and FC Vaduz of Liechtenstein, taking his overall tally to nine from six games. Troy Parrott's 9th goal of the season already!🦜🇮🇪 — Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) August 17, 2025
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool and Madrid Locked in Battle for Dutch Midfield Talent
Smit Spotlight: Liverpool and Madrid in Tug-of-War for Dutch Prodigy Rising Star on Europe's Radar Kees Smit may not be a household name just yet, but the 19-year-old AZ Alkmaar midfielder has sparked a full-blown tug-of-war between European royalty. Real Madrid and Liverpool lead a queue of elite suitors circling the Dutch wonderkid, whose creativity and end product are making waves across the continent. Advertisement The battle for Smit has taken a dramatic twist. According to Defensa Central, 'Xabi Alonso has analysed his first performance reports and has come to the conclusion that he is the player the Merengue sports department needs.' It is a statement of serious intent from Madrid's new manager, who knows a thing or two about controlling a midfield. Photo: IMAGO While Madrid may be pushing hardest, the Premier League's giants have not stepped aside. TBR reports that Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Brighton and Hove Albion are all interested in acquiring the services of the Eredivisie's latest gem. Advertisement Liverpool and Madrid's Summer Sprint This summer has already seen heavy movement from both Madrid and Liverpool. Arne Slot's new-look side has welcomed Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman, with Giorgi Mamardashvili also on the way. Slot is building a side to both challenge now and evolve long-term. Photo IMAGO Madrid, meanwhile, have landed Dean Huijsen and even more shockingly, Trent Alexander-Arnold, while the teenage Argentine star Franco Mastantuono will join in August. Both clubs are far from done, with striker reinforcements still on their radar, but it's midfield where both appear laser-focused on the future. Advertisement Smit has emerged as a prime target. His 10 goals and seven assists in 43 games last season have made him one of the standout young performers in the Dutch Eredivisie. He was instrumental in AZ's campaign and has demonstrated a maturity and consistency well beyond his years. A Tournament to Remember Smit didn't just shine domestically. He took the international stage by storm this summer as part of the Netherlands Under-19 side that won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship. 'Not only was Smit the joint top scorer in the tournament with four goals, but the 19-year-old was also awarded the Player of the Tournament and was included in the Team of the Tournament.' Advertisement That level of output at youth international level will only intensify the spotlight. It also explains why Madrid's interest has gone from mild curiosity to serious pursuit. Marca describes Smit as 'an unknown gem' and says 'playing for Real Madrid would be a dream come true.' Will Money Talk? Smit is under contract at AZ, and his transfer will not come cheap. Ziggo Sport prompted the midfielder about a possible €25 million price tag. Smit, with refreshing humour, replied, 'Well, more, I think. Maybe five or 10 million more.' He later added, 'I read a lot of things and see big clubs passing by, that's cool. I have to think carefully about what I'm going to do, but I think I'll stay at AZ. The most important thing is that I play football as much as possible, play, get better. Because I can still be a lot better.' Advertisement Madrid might agree with that final statement. Defensa Central claims that although the club's board likes Smit, they are reluctant to pay full price and may sell Daniel Ceballos to fund a move. Future Hinges on Patience and Planning Smit's honesty is refreshing. So too is his desire to continue developing through consistent game time. In an era where so many teenage talents are rushed to the top, Smit's perspective could end up being his biggest strength. He knows the power of his performances. And he knows what comes next could define the trajectory of his entire career. With so many giants circling and midfield dynamics shifting at both Liverpool and Madrid, Smit will be watched like a hawk. The decision, though, rests with him and AZ for now. Advertisement Our View – EPL Index Analysis EXCITED Liverpool Fan Reaction Kees Smit is exactly the kind of midfield profile Liverpool should be chasing. He's dynamic, decisive in the final third and most importantly, driven to improve. That quote about wanting to play as much as possible and get better? That fits right in with Arne Slot's player development model. With Curtis Jones, Stefan Bajcetic and Harvey Elliott all battling for minutes, another young technician with final-third output would deepen the squad beautifully. Yes, the report from Defensa Central that 'Xabi Alonso has analysed his first performance reports and has come to the conclusion that he is the player the Merengue sports department needs' does sting a little. Alonso knows what kind of midfielder thrives in elite sides, and his admiration for Smit is telling. Advertisement But all is not lost for Liverpool. The player himself admits, 'I think I'll stay at AZ.' That pause in his journey might allow Liverpool's sporting department to lay the groundwork for a 2025 move, especially if Madrid baulk at paying a full fee this summer. At a quoted fee of €25–35 million, Smit is attainable. And with Liverpool's shifting midfield identity under Slot, he could be a perfect fit in a fluid 4-3-3 or even as part of a box midfield setup. Fans will be watching this one closely, hoping Madrid's head is turned elsewhere.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
AZ Alkmaar on notice regarding Kees Smit: English clubs compete with interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich
AZ Alkmaar on notice regarding Kees Smit: English clubs compete with interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich According to VoetbalPrimeur and TBR Football, Kees Smit has played himself into the spotlight at the European Under-19 Championships. After already finding himself linked with Real Madrid, there also seems to be avid admirers in England, as Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Smit. Advertisement The medium reports that in addition to Real Madrid and the London clubs, other names like Ajax, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Olympique Marseille have also been mentioned. Chelsea and Spurs are said to have been following Smit closely 'for months'. Johan Lange, technical director at Spurs, is reportedly 'charmed by Smit'. Smit is still contracted to Alkmaar until the summer of 2028, and amounts of 25 million euros were previously mentioned for the promising youngster. The arrival of Smit does not seem a realistic prospect for the Dutch top clubs. Diario AS reported that the mentioned amount would be 'achievable on paper' for Real Madrid. Just how Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur compare to transfer competition, is not known. GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Chelsea chasing Smit
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are among the sides chasing AZ Alkmaar's 19-year-old Dutch midfielder Kees Smit. (TBR Football)Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
