Eredivisie End of the Season Review: Utrecht | OneFootball

Finish position: 4th

Overview:

Utrecht enjoyed a fantastic season where they defied their own expectations, securing a fourth-placed finish, the highest they’ve achieved since 2016-17. Utrecht enjoyed a fantastic start to the campaign, winning seven of their first eight matches, and never looked in danger of dropping into the play offs. As a result, they will automatically go into the Europa League group stage and play continental football for the first time since 2019. Utrecht had no real out-and-out goalscorer, with top scorer Paxten Aaronson ending on eight goals. However, due to goals being spread out through the team, and a cohesive style of football coached by the impressive Ron Jaans, Utrecht delivered a brilliant season for the fans.

Their highlight of the season has to be the 4-0 hammering of Ajax in April, a result that virtually confirmed a top four finish. In the KNVB Cup, Utrecht were disappointingly knocked out by Heracles in the quarter-finals.

Player of the Season: Paxten Aaronson

The Player and Young Player of the Season awards could have easily been swapped around, however Aaronson’s influence in the middle of the park from a defensive standpoint was hugely influential, not to mention his twelve goal contributions for the side. The 21-year-old, on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt, is not only the club’s top scorer in the league, but has also created 34 chances, and completed 27 successful dribbles (FotMob).

Young Player of the Season: Yoann Cathline

The winger, on loan from Lorient, has been impressive for Utrecht, scoring six and assisting five goals in the Eredivisie. The 22-year-old originally came through the Guingamp setup, and his first loan move at Utrecht has been fruitful for both him and his club.

Summer needs:

Utrecht have already finalised the free transfer of Davy van den Berg from PEC Zwolle. The midfielder will add solidity to the spine of the team but Utrecht have a more pressing issue. Aaronson, Cathline, Miguel Rodriguez, Oscar Fraulo and Sebastian Haller are all on loan at Domstad, and are likely to return to their parent clubs. During the summer, they’ll need to replicate last year’s window and make smart loan signings, or bring in young talents who have room to grow.

Grade: A

GBENeFN | Samuel Fabre