Wouter Goes named Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month
Wouter Goes, aged 19, has won his first individual prize in the Eredivisie. He was the best-performing player in March aged 21 or younger at the start of the season. His performances were rewarded with the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month award.
Wouter Goes came close to the monthly award in February, but was pipped at the post by his teammate Ruben van Bommel who took the honours. One month later it was the turn of the 19-year-old who was born in Amsterdam.
Solid defense
Goes and team AZ conceded just one goal in four Eredivisie games in March. AZ seems to perform remarkably well when Goes is in action: they conceded five goals in 1023 minutes this season when he was on the pitch, which converts to an average of 0.8 goals each 90 minutes. With Goes off the pitch, AZ racked up an average of 1.1 goals each 90 minutes (20 in 1679 minutes).
In addition, in March only two Eredivisie players gave more successful passes than Goes (260) and no one maintained more possession of the ball than the AZ player (112 carries accumulating a distance of 1444 metres).
Cheque for ASV Arsenal and Cruyff Foundation
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.
Imro Wielkens (manager ASV Arsenal), Wouter Goes and Iwan Zandwijken (chairman ASV Arsenal).
Eredivisie Awards
The Eredivisie Player of the Month, Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month and Eredivisie Team of the Month are selected on the basis of statistics (Opta) and votes from football fans (KPN Man of the Match). These criteria also play a role in establishing the shortlist for the Eredivisie Player of the Year and Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year awards. These awards, along with the Azerion Vrouwen Eredivisie awards, will be presented during the Eredivisie Awards ceremony (2 September 2024).
The selection of the Eredivisie Player of the Month is an initiative of Eredivisie CV, in partnership with ESPN and EA SPORTS FC™. The selection of the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Month is organised by Eredivisie CV, in partnership with ESPN, the Cruyff Foundation and the VriendenLoterij (FriendsLottery).
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