Flying Full-Again Shining For AZ Alkmaar in Eredivisie

By 5 months ago

By the yr 2023, we now have reached a stage the place a fullback should have unbelievable attacking expertise down the wings if he needs to thrive in soccer. Tasked with going up the pitch, stretching the sector as huge as doable, and creating overloads at the moment are half and parcel of a fullback’s recreation. And one of many many merchandise of this revolution is AZ Alkmaar’s Milos Kerkez.

Born in Serbia & Montenegro, Kerkez’s footballing journey has taken him to a number of nations the place he has witnessed highs and lows. Nonetheless, at AZ Alkmaar, he lastly has discovered a membership that has given him a steady atmosphere to develop and on the similar time exhibit his expertise.

In simply his first season, Kerkez has taken to the group like a duck to water and has develop into an integral half. Whereas he should still not be on the radar of a giant membership, Kerkez has proven this season that he’s one to be careful for. So, who’s Milos Kerkez, and the way good is he?

Taking part in profession to date 

Milos Kerkez was born on November 7, 2003, within the metropolis of Vrbas, in Vojvodina, Serbia’s northernmost province. As a die-hard fan of the sport, Kerkez’s mother and father enrolled him into the native membership FK Vrbas youth academy.

He would keep on the membership until 2014 earlier than he would journey 500 kilometres to the Austrian capital of Vienna to affix Speedy Wien. His time on the membership offered him with a steady atmosphere the place he would persistently get higher for the subsequent few years.

Nonetheless, Kerkez was getting stressed, a attribute that will play an integral half in some key moments. The participant would then decide that will influence not solely his membership profession but in addition his worldwide profession.

In 2020, Kerkez modified his nation once more, becoming a member of Hungarian aspect Hodmezovasarhely in 2019 however solely stayed for a yr earlier than becoming a member of FC Gyor. Right here, he made 16 appearances, which was sufficient proof for AC Milan to signal him in 2021. Kerkez initially had no inclination to depart Hungary, however a name from Milan legend Paolo Maldini modified that, and his household determined emigrate to Italy.

Whereas he didn’t get any senior group appearances, he commonly skilled with the primary group. Working with Theo Hernandez helped him enhance his recreation immensely, particularly within the attacking division.

The restlessness, nevertheless, appeared as soon as once more, and simply after half of the season, Kerkez wished common senior-team appearances. Initially, Milan wished him to go on a mortgage, however Kerkez was adamant a couple of everlasting transfer and thus joined AZ Alkmaar.

Milos Kerkez stats 

When he joined AZ Alkmaar, he was initially despatched to the reserves aspect, the place he would spend the second half of the 2021-22 season. And when the 2022-23 season began, Kerkez was given the promotion to the senior group by supervisor Pascal Jansen.

And Kerkez has repaid the religion placed on him. The fullback has made a complete of 47 appearances scoring 5 targets and offering eight assists. It’s a improbable return for a participant enjoying his first senior-team season.

Stats from fbref present that he persistently ranks among the many high ten percentile of fullbacks in attacking metrics corresponding to touches within the penalty space, targets, and profitable take-ons, amongst others.

Learn extra:

Milos Kerkez scout report 

His one yr at AC Milan has helped him enhance his attacking section of the sport. Kerke has admitted that Theo Hernandez and Paolo Maldini influenced his recreation significantly. Kerkez has additionally mentioned that he has additionally been influenced by Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies. In an interview with Scoutedftbl, Kerkez mentioned, “I nonetheless watch Théo to be taught. I additionally watch Alphonso Davies typically. When Jordi Alba was in his prime, I favored him lots, too. He was nice.”

This explains his enjoying type. Kerkez has been afforded the luxurious of going up the pitch, which permits him to precise himself freely. Because of this, Kerkez is good at virtually each attacking metric, be it dribbling, approach, ball management, and creativity. As well as, Kerkez can be blessed with immense tempo and acceleration, permitting them to go up and down the pitch quickly.

On high of that, Kerkez can be good at taking pictures one thing uncommon, even for the attacking fullbacks. This makes him a menace to the opposition, who know he can each create targets.

What makes him particular

There is no such thing as a doubt that Milos Kerkez is a selected participant. Nonetheless, his best asset lies not in his footballing expertise however in his psychological toughness. Kerkez has all the time been courageous, whether or not on or off the soccer subject. Earlier than he hit the age of 128, he modified his nations 3 times which may have been detrimental to his profession.

Nonetheless, Kerkez had immense religion and confidence in his expertise, a key motive for his unbelievable rise. Whereas enhancing bodily expertise is simple if the participant has expertise, psychological toughness is difficult to seek out and develop, making Kerkez a uncommon participant.

Milos Kerkez switch information 

Milos Kerkez has had short-term spells in any respect his three earlier golf equipment, so it is not going to be a shock if he leaves AZ Alkmaar come the summer time switch window. As well as, Kerkez’s father has expressed his curiosity in taking his son’s skills to England.

This has alerted the Premier League golf equipment, with Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers among the many frontrunners to signal the participant. Nonetheless, Wolves seem to have the higher hand given they’re eight factors away from the relegation zone whereas Leeds are surviving it by the pores and skin of their enamel.

Nonetheless, Milos Kerkez is sure to fulfil his huge expertise wherever he goes.

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