At a glance
- Kees Smit is one of the most talked up talents in Dutch football at the moment.
- FC Barcelona legend Ronald Koeman, and his current Netherlands manager, has likened the youngster to Pedri.
- AZ Alkmaar reportedly rates the youngster at €60 million, and Rafael van der Vaart said: “He’ll end up at Real Madrid.”
Former Real Madrid attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has tipped Kees Smit to “end up” at the Bernabeu while speaking on Ziggo Sport.
Smit has been called the “Dutch Pedri” in some quarters. Already, his Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, who famously boosted Pedri to the FC Barcelona first team, has compared the two. Elsewhere, others see similarities with Frenkie De Jong.
Rated at €60 million by AZ Alkmaar, Smit will “end up at Real Madrid” according to Van der Vaart.
“He’s just an incredibly good player. We’re often quick to describe someone as good, but in this case it is that he is really good,” Van der Vaart said on Ziggo Sport’s Rondo programme.
“If he continues to progress like this, he’ll undoubtedly end up at Real Madrid or at one of the biggest clubs in the world, which for me is Real Madrid,” Van der Vaart added.
Ex-Real Madrid star has no doubts about Smit
Van der Vaart is aware that Smit will have to grow as a player. But there are no doubts about the 20-year-old’s maturity.
“He’s a person with his feet still on the ground,” Van der Vaart said. “He doesn’t allow himself to be pressured, at least I don’t see it that way. In addition, he gives good interviews, he performs well.”
With other options for the midfield such as Vitinha, Enzo Fernandez and Rodri costing in excess of €100 million, Smit could be an excellent, cheaper bet for the future.
In a more retreated position, Smit can provide back up for Aurelien Tchouameni. Furthermore, such talk comes at a time when Eduardo Camavinga is being linked away from the club.
It’s impossible that born Culer Pedri would do a Luis Figo and switch allegiances from the Blaugrana to Los Blancos. But Smit could prove the next big thing with a high ceiling.
