Wouter Goes has been named Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month for the second time

AZ finished 2024 in excellent form. In the three rounds before the winter break, they defeated direct rivals Ajax (2-1) and FC Twente (1-0), while also securing a late win against NAC Breda (1-2). Thanks to these victories, AZ stands on 32 points after seventeen matches and will start the second half of the season next weekend in fifth place.

AZ's defense looked solid in December, conceding only two goals. Wouter Goes was a key player in the Alkmaar defense: he won three-quarters of his duels (67.7%), the highest percentage of any Eredivisie player. Additionally, 89.5% of his passes were successful, and opponents struggled to stop him on the ball (committing 9 fouls against him).

This marks the 20-year-old Amsterdam native's second monthly award. He was previously named Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month in March 2024.

As part of the prize, the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month received a cheque worth €2500 on behalf of the VriendenLoterij (FriendsLottery) for his former amateur club in Amsterdam, ASV Arsenal. His selection also generated €5000 to promote social projects organised by the Cruyff Foundation.

In addition to Wouter Goes, his teammate, Troy Parrott, has been named Eredivisie Player of the Month. The 22-year-old AZ striker was the best player based on Opta statistics and votes from football fans. Read more here.

The selection of the Eredivisie Player of the Month, Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month, and Eredivisie Team of the Month is based on Opta statistics and votes from football fans (KPN Man of the Match). These criteria also factor into the selection of the Eredivisie Player of the Year and Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year awards, which are presented at the end of the season during the Eredivisie Awards. The monthly selections are an initiative of the Eredivisie CV in collaboration with ESPN, the Johan Cruyff Foundation, and the VriendenLoterij.