2025-02-04, 08:11 AM - Word count:
(This post was last modified: 2025-02-04, 08:16 AM by Malino8444.)
The Benelux golden generation?
The Season 20 SSL Academy class is the largest to date, with an incredible 57 players currently enrolled (At the moment of writing this article).
Among them, five players hail from the Benelux region. This raises the question: does the Benelux have a golden generation on its hands? In this analysis, we will take a closer look at these five players: Draz Tathille, Timo Geurts, Axel Blaze, Don Lorenzo, and Ryan Van Eyndhoven.
Draz Tathille ( Netherlands - Left Back)
![[Image: AD_4nXdsf2Gb-ukc7NjKgfNrXi1FFj7QNaxqehxu...zT6Vf209h2]](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdsf2Gb-ukc7NjKgfNrXi1FFj7QNaxqehxuq3C8kuDkUQWfwy52UknzaNgw-CkX2mmxAREi5OvWYbP8mnRIYLN5KUYZgn_X_gTWOSD-YAkLBpKhUG3CU5cL3LFv3qcAT4S8M1cB?key=6FFmT6koo88-9UzT6Vf209h2)
Draz Tathille stands out as a physically strong and well-conditioned back. His pace and acceleration are decent, which helps him keep up with fast attackers. However, his agility and balance are on the lower side, meaning he could struggle with quick changes in direction.
Mentally, Tathille is solid across the board. While he does not excel in any specific area, he is reliable and composed under pressure. His technical skills are fairly average, but his passing and marking stand out. However, his tackling ability needs to improve if he wants to become a top-tier left back. He also prefers to look for a pass rather than attempting to score and refrains from taking long shots, highlighting his playmaking mindset rather than an aggressive attacking approach.
Overall, Tathille is a dependable full-back with great stamina and natural fitness. If he can improve his agility and tackling, he has the potential to become a top defender in the league.
Timo Geurts ( Netherlands - Left back)
![[Image: AD_4nXcKk9dNkIQYrjv3wpicYFNKFljyC7YU2nVc...zT6Vf209h2]](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcKk9dNkIQYrjv3wpicYFNKFljyC7YU2nVcG9rVROHL6TizM_XRIWpykFzCSEUwZkoLEn1p-LSm9RfxlI24a9ChfIXGiBxg_hqT5j56k4VtJGeZyAxG9uJMUJyk2LGI1aEMgxoD0g?key=6FFmT6koo88-9UzT6Vf209h2)
Timo Geurts is a very different kind of left back if you compare him to Tathille. His speed is his main weapon, as he has impressive acceleration and pace, making him a great option for teams that play with attacking full-backs. However, his strength and balance are weak, which can make him vulnerable in physical duels.
Technically, Geurts is more attacking-minded than Tathille. His dribbling and crossing are solid, making him a useful asset when pushing forward. However, his defensive skills, in particular his marking and positioning, need work. If he is to become a complete left-back, he must improve his tackling and his defensive awareness. His tendency to hug the touchline and cross early reinforces his role as an attacking full-back who thrives in delivering balls into the box.
In short: Geurts is a classic modern full-back: fast, energetic, and attack-minded. If he improves defensively, he could be a valuable asset for any team.
Axel Blaze ( Netherlands - Left back)
![[Image: AD_4nXd_0HF7xY88RD2qzJaFZvBXfwz4LJDj3MP2...zT6Vf209h2]](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXd_0HF7xY88RD2qzJaFZvBXfwz4LJDj3MP2Gp0iOwUEFyE2MK-7dHJLlnEhrCDq8qHMCcJRbFbT4PUHwat4LyBKg0d1Glr0MdUqdS2FBKnLLAWXeR4dKDw17r0H0Mgn26KUToAc3g?key=6FFmT6koo88-9UzT6Vf209h2)
The third and final back: Axel Blaze is a balanced left back with good physical conditioning. His pace and acceleration are decent. However, his jumping reach is poor, meaning he will struggle in aerial duels.
Mentally, Blaze is a solid player with decent composure and positioning. His flair is an interesting trait for a defender, as it suggests he is confident on the ball and willing to take risks. Technically, he is competent in multiple areas, with good crossing and dribbling ability, making him another attack-minded full-back. His defensive skills, particularly marking and tackling, are average but reliable. Blaze also likes to knock the ball past his opponent and frequently gets forward whenever possible, emphasizing his offensive mindset.
Blaze is a well-rounded player with no major weaknesses, though he does not have an area where he truly excels. With some fine-tuning, he could develop into a key player for any team.
Don Lorenzo (Luxembourg - Centre back)
![[Image: AD_4nXdMVw-b2rjls6PJmXb3axyQlAenP9Qoa-sL...zT6Vf209h2]](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdMVw-b2rjls6PJmXb3axyQlAenP9Qoa-sL_VO4dDtrj0HIl4uNBzA2PDjZExA-O3gyOflodyf1MrQpoKRposSZWF_KvbO135Ahijloxg82hE92iPPr_IxQFqae32Z4IBaS6dU3hg?key=6FFmT6koo88-9UzT6Vf209h2)
Don Lorenzo is the only Luxembourgish player on this list, and he plays as a center-back. Physically, he is solid. His strength and jumping reach are decent, making him effective in aerial battles.
Mentally, Lorenzo is a disciplined and intelligent defender. His anticipation and concentration are strong, allowing him to read the game well. While his determination is lower than one might expect from a center-back, his composure under pressure is a valuable trait.
Technically, Lorenzo excels in marking and tackling, which are key attributes for a centre back. His passing ability is alright, meaning he can distribute the ball from the back without being a liability. Lorenzo also likes to bring the ball out of defense and mark his opponent tightly, showing his confidence in both possession play and man-to-man marking.
Overall, Lorenzo is a dependable defender with good tactical awareness. If he improves his leadership and decision-making, he could become a commanding presence in defense.
Ryan Van Eyndhoven ( Netherlands - Winger/RAM)
![[Image: Till.png]](https://d3et0fncpz2hhr.cloudfront.net/players/2024/_550x776_fit_center-center_80_none/Till.png)
Last, but certainly not least: Ryan Van Eyndhoven is the only attacking player on this list, and he plays as a winger/RAM. His main strengths lie in his agility and balance, making him a tricky player for defenders to handle.
Mentally, Van Eyndhoven is a creative and intelligent player. His anticipation and flair make him unpredictable, and his composure ensures he remains calm in crucial moments. However, his concentration and decision-making could use some improvement.
Technically, Van Eyndhoven is a capable dribbler and passer, with decent finishing ability. His crossing is acceptable, but not outstanding, meaning he is more suited to a central attacking role rather than a traditional winger position. His playing style is also defined by his tendency to run with the ball often and get forward whenever possible, making him a dangerous attacking threat when given space.
Van Eyndhoven has the potential to be a dangerous attacking player. If he sharpens his decision-making and improves his finishing, he could become a key playmaker in the SSL.
Conclusion
So, does the Benelux have a golden generation on its hands? While none of these players are outright superstars yet, they all have the potential to develop into high-quality professionals.
Tathille and Lorenzo are solid defenders with strong defensive attributes, while Geurts and Blaze provide attacking options from the left-back position. Van Eyndhoven, meanwhile, offers creativity and technical skill on the wing.
With the right coaching and development, these players could form the core of a strong future national team for the Benelux. Whether this truly turns out to be a "golden generation" will depend on how well they progress in the coming seasons.
The Season 20 SSL Academy class is the largest to date, with an incredible 57 players currently enrolled (At the moment of writing this article).
Among them, five players hail from the Benelux region. This raises the question: does the Benelux have a golden generation on its hands? In this analysis, we will take a closer look at these five players: Draz Tathille, Timo Geurts, Axel Blaze, Don Lorenzo, and Ryan Van Eyndhoven.
Draz Tathille ( Netherlands - Left Back)
Draz Tathille stands out as a physically strong and well-conditioned back. His pace and acceleration are decent, which helps him keep up with fast attackers. However, his agility and balance are on the lower side, meaning he could struggle with quick changes in direction.
Mentally, Tathille is solid across the board. While he does not excel in any specific area, he is reliable and composed under pressure. His technical skills are fairly average, but his passing and marking stand out. However, his tackling ability needs to improve if he wants to become a top-tier left back. He also prefers to look for a pass rather than attempting to score and refrains from taking long shots, highlighting his playmaking mindset rather than an aggressive attacking approach.
Overall, Tathille is a dependable full-back with great stamina and natural fitness. If he can improve his agility and tackling, he has the potential to become a top defender in the league.
Timo Geurts ( Netherlands - Left back)
Timo Geurts is a very different kind of left back if you compare him to Tathille. His speed is his main weapon, as he has impressive acceleration and pace, making him a great option for teams that play with attacking full-backs. However, his strength and balance are weak, which can make him vulnerable in physical duels.
Technically, Geurts is more attacking-minded than Tathille. His dribbling and crossing are solid, making him a useful asset when pushing forward. However, his defensive skills, in particular his marking and positioning, need work. If he is to become a complete left-back, he must improve his tackling and his defensive awareness. His tendency to hug the touchline and cross early reinforces his role as an attacking full-back who thrives in delivering balls into the box.
In short: Geurts is a classic modern full-back: fast, energetic, and attack-minded. If he improves defensively, he could be a valuable asset for any team.
Axel Blaze ( Netherlands - Left back)
The third and final back: Axel Blaze is a balanced left back with good physical conditioning. His pace and acceleration are decent. However, his jumping reach is poor, meaning he will struggle in aerial duels.
Mentally, Blaze is a solid player with decent composure and positioning. His flair is an interesting trait for a defender, as it suggests he is confident on the ball and willing to take risks. Technically, he is competent in multiple areas, with good crossing and dribbling ability, making him another attack-minded full-back. His defensive skills, particularly marking and tackling, are average but reliable. Blaze also likes to knock the ball past his opponent and frequently gets forward whenever possible, emphasizing his offensive mindset.
Blaze is a well-rounded player with no major weaknesses, though he does not have an area where he truly excels. With some fine-tuning, he could develop into a key player for any team.
Don Lorenzo (Luxembourg - Centre back)
Don Lorenzo is the only Luxembourgish player on this list, and he plays as a center-back. Physically, he is solid. His strength and jumping reach are decent, making him effective in aerial battles.
Mentally, Lorenzo is a disciplined and intelligent defender. His anticipation and concentration are strong, allowing him to read the game well. While his determination is lower than one might expect from a center-back, his composure under pressure is a valuable trait.
Technically, Lorenzo excels in marking and tackling, which are key attributes for a centre back. His passing ability is alright, meaning he can distribute the ball from the back without being a liability. Lorenzo also likes to bring the ball out of defense and mark his opponent tightly, showing his confidence in both possession play and man-to-man marking.
Overall, Lorenzo is a dependable defender with good tactical awareness. If he improves his leadership and decision-making, he could become a commanding presence in defense.
Ryan Van Eyndhoven ( Netherlands - Winger/RAM)
Last, but certainly not least: Ryan Van Eyndhoven is the only attacking player on this list, and he plays as a winger/RAM. His main strengths lie in his agility and balance, making him a tricky player for defenders to handle.
Mentally, Van Eyndhoven is a creative and intelligent player. His anticipation and flair make him unpredictable, and his composure ensures he remains calm in crucial moments. However, his concentration and decision-making could use some improvement.
Technically, Van Eyndhoven is a capable dribbler and passer, with decent finishing ability. His crossing is acceptable, but not outstanding, meaning he is more suited to a central attacking role rather than a traditional winger position. His playing style is also defined by his tendency to run with the ball often and get forward whenever possible, making him a dangerous attacking threat when given space.
Van Eyndhoven has the potential to be a dangerous attacking player. If he sharpens his decision-making and improves his finishing, he could become a key playmaker in the SSL.
Conclusion
So, does the Benelux have a golden generation on its hands? While none of these players are outright superstars yet, they all have the potential to develop into high-quality professionals.
Tathille and Lorenzo are solid defenders with strong defensive attributes, while Geurts and Blaze provide attacking options from the left-back position. Van Eyndhoven, meanwhile, offers creativity and technical skill on the wing.
With the right coaching and development, these players could form the core of a strong future national team for the Benelux. Whether this truly turns out to be a "golden generation" will depend on how well they progress in the coming seasons.
