This month, it's PSV Eindhoven's
Adam Maher
Full Name: Adam Maher
DOB: 20/07/1993 (20)
Place of Birth: Ait Izzou, Morocco
Height: 5ft 9inches
Position: Central Midfielder
Current club: PSV Eindhoven
Squad number: 6
Preferred foot: Right
Key Attributes
In simple terms, Maher is the Dutch Xavi.
His elegant, composed approach to the game attracted the Dutch giants to the starlet from AZ Alkmaar at the end of 2012/2013 campaign and he subsequently signed a 5 year deal with the club. His major influence is Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez; unsurprising when you consider Maher's composure on the ball.
He's a player that makes the strikers in front of him tick, however, his assist record in the past three seasons is extremely poor. Maher can't be criticised for the number of chances he creates, but a record of 1 assist in 51 games is questionable.
It's the Moroccan born midfielder's goalscoring record that makes him such a hot prospect. 21 goals from 51 performances is a mightily impressive tally and blows the respective records of David Silva and even Andres Iniesta's out of the water.
Like Yaya Toure, Maher is more effective higher up the pitch where he is free to exhibit his creative flair. Technically, he's up there with the best and rarely gives the ball away when in possession. Former Dutch international Pierre Van Hooijdonk has even said that 'based on technical abilities, he is absolutely the best in the Eredivisie'.
Before the Dutch starlet joined PSV in 2013, he was attracting the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, PSG and Barcelona. Eindhoven will feel lucky that they were able to drag him from the mighty grasp of the European elite, however in the long term, staying in the Eredivisie will certainly accelerate Maher's development and chances of being considering for the Netherlands World Cup campaign.
Maher's main strengths include:
- Passing
- Service
- Vision
- Skill and dribbling ability
- Footwork
- Ball control
- Goalscoring
Maher's main weaknesses include:
- Power
- Strength
- Tackling
Facts
- His personal Twitter account is @Ad8mmaher
- His former clubs include Sv Diemen, AVV Zeeburgia and AZ Alkmaar
- Maher made his official debut for PSV on 30th July 2013 against Zulte-Waregem
- Maher has 8 caps for the Netherlands
Overall Potential Rating
- 1-3 - Not good enough to reach the top level
- 4-5 - Potential to nail down a regular spot in a mid table side
- 6-7 - Potential to be a top European midfielder
- 8-10 - Potential to be world class
7/10
