Kees Smit: The Rising Star Poised for International Success

The hype surrounding Kees Smit seems to have subdued somewhat, yet numerous major clubs continue to show keen interest in the AZ midfielder.

Peter van der Veen, the coach of the Netherlands Under-19 team, which recently became European champions under Smit’s leadership, shared his thoughts with Voetbal International. He stated, “Kees has been with AZ for quite some time. Proving oneself among superior players in a new environment can be quite challenging. Sometimes, a change in surroundings is necessary to achieve an even higher level of professionalism. Being surrounded by teammates who are already performing at peak levels can motivate a player to elevate their own performance. This often involves more time in the gym, working with a personal team of specialists, and refining nutritional choices. Kees is inquisitive and astute enough to extract valuable insights from his teammates in all these areas. Regardless, I envision him playing at a top foreign club well before reaching his peak.”

As for Smit himself, he is not preoccupied with lofty aspirations or immediate moves. “For my development, it’s crucial to participate in European matches at the highest level possible. We currently have a squad at AZ capable of qualifying for the Europa League or even the Champions League. I believe we possess the quality to finish in the top three, but we need to translate that potential into consistent results. That is where my focus lies now.”