Elayis Tavşan has been chosen as Johan Cruijff Talent of the Month based on statistics and the votes of football fans. The 20-year-old from Rotterdam is the second player, after teammate Ali Akman (August), from N.E.C. Nijmegen to receive the talent award this season.
Despite October 2021 being a black page in history due to the collapsed grandstand, things are reaching a crescendo for the Nijmegen players. The promoted side won against Fortuna Sittard (1-3), FC Twente (1-2), FC Groningen (3-0) and only just acknowledged the superiority of Vitesse (0-1). The Nijmegen club is currently ranked seventh in the Eredivisie.
Tavşan has played a major role in N.E.C.'s sporting rise. The forward scored three goals in October. He is the second-youngest player (20 years and 185 days) with at least three goals this season and is only just behind teammate Ali Akman (19 years and 197 days). He is also the player with the most successful dribbles in the Eredivisie (9) of all players under 21.
Besides the monthly prize, Tavşan also received two cheques on behalf of the Friends Lottery. One cheque for €2,500 for his old amateur club, Victoria'04 in Vlaardingen, where he received his youth training when he was seven. And a cheque for €5,000 to donate to a project of the Johan Cruyff Foundation, which will enable the purchase of frames for frame football for children with physical disabilities.
About the voting
The Eredivisie Player of the Month and Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month awards are based on statistics and votes from fans, cast via the KPN Man of the Match vote on ESPN. These elements, in addition to the votes of the 18 captains and 18 coaches, also count towards the Eredivisie Player of the Year and Johan Cruijff Talent of the Year awards, which are presented in a live broadcast on ESPN at the end of the season.
The Eredivisie Player of the Month vote is an initiative of the Eredivisie CV in collaboration with ESPN. The Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month is an initiative of the Eredivisie CV, ESPN, Johan Cruyff Foundation and VriendenLoterij.