Excelsior Eredivisie 2025/2026 Preview | OneFootball

Overview:

Excelsior bounced straight back after their relegation from the Eredivisie at the end of the 2023/2024 season. The side were led by young Dutch head coach Ruben den Uil in his first season as the number one, winning 24 of their 41 matches and finishing second behind Volendam. Over the past decade the Rotterdam based side have always flirted with Eredivisie relegation. Can den Uil keep Excelsior above water this time around?

Transfers in: Do-Young Yoon (Brighton, loan), Lewis Schouten (AZ, loan), Stijn van Gassel (NEC), Adam Carlen (IFK Goteborg),

Transfers out: Siem de Moes (free), Serano Seymor (Khorfakkan), Pascal Kuiper (Sparta Rotterdam), Lance Duijvestijn (Sparta Rotterdam), Oscar Uddenas (Osters)

Key player: Derensili Sanches Fernandes

With the sides key man from last year, Duijvestijn, having joined city rivals Sparta, the club will need someone else to step up up top. Sanches Fernandes had a fantastic season, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in 34 matches for Excelsior. The 24-year-old winger struggled during the 2023/2024 Eredivisie season, but this year Excelsior will hope he can step up after his strong second tier campaign.

Young player to watch: Lewis Schouten

That AZ loaned Schouten to Excelsior, rather than keep him with their second team in the second tier, shows that they clearly believe he is going to get valuable game time. Excelsior will be expected to face a relegation battle and will need them to show the defensive solidity of last season. The 21-year-old may well have to be a part of that defence this season.

Transfer window needs:

The side could really do with another goal scorer. They are light in goals up front and need to replace Duijvestijn in this area. If Excelsior can do that, they may have a chance of avoiding relegation. However, at the moment, the lack of goals in the squad is a real concern.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson