Patrick van Aanholt

In the autumn of his career, Patrick van Aanholt remains a solid presence at left-back for Sparta Rotterdam, showcasing a style of play that's both reliable and quietly effective. His standout ability lies in his progressive passing, effectively orchestrating transitions from defence to attack with an impressive efficiency that defies his age. While his defensive game is characterised by decent penalty area defending, his ability to read and recover possession ensures he's seldom caught out of position. However, his 1v1 defending and ball recovery could benefit from a touch more sharpness, which might be a nod to the inevitable march of time. Despite this, his experience and tactical nous make him a valuable asset in defence, even if his attacking contributions are not his primary calling card. This scout report underscores a player who's adept at knitting together play from the back and still has a meaningful role to play in the Eredivisie.