NOS Football•
PSV is in an excellent position from a sporting point of view, but the same cannot be said about the flow of talent from the club’s youth academy. Where is the new Cody Gakpo in Eindhoven?
It has been three years since the born Eindhoven resident, now 26 years old, left for Liverpool for tens of millions. It is the success story that every football club likes to tell: selling self-trained players to the absolute top. This applied to PSV, for example, for Memphis Depay and Steven Bergwijn.
After Gakpo’s transfer, new talent broke through at PSV, such as Johan Bakayoko (left for RB Leipzig in mid-2025) or Ismael Saibari. But this pair only arrived at PSV at a later age.
Switching proves difficult
In recent years it has proven difficult for PSV talent to convince trainer Peter Bosz, such as the much-praised Isaac Bababi and Tygo Land. Brothers Jason and Robin van Duiven also did not make it. The attackers made a name for themselves at Jong PSV, but it did not lead to a move to PSV 1.
The young Matteo Dams was given a serious chance by Bosz last season and was also a starter in the Champions League, but the Belgian opted for big money in Saudi Arabia during the winter break.
The PSV talents did not make their mark in recent seasons, but coach Bosz is pleased with the current recruitment. “There are guys who seem ready for a step up and who we really see a future in for PSV 1,” he said last summer.
Bosz indeed gave Fabian Merién (17), Joël van de Berg (19) and Nicolas Verkooijen (19) a taste of big work this season, although it remained only modest substitute appearances.
18-year-old Noah Fernandez got the chance more often (eight appearances). The Belgian midfielder made such an impression that PSV has now extended his contract until 2030.
Bridge between youth academy and club
Phillip Cocu was appointed by PSV in November to promote the advancement of more talent such as Fernandez. The club’s former captain must become the bridge between the youth academy and the A-selection.
Cocu, as top sports manager, is given the task by PSV to prepare players between the ages of 17 and 21, both on and off the field, for Bosz’s A-selection.
“Ultimately, you want someone who is responsible for guiding the real talents in your training in those final steps, not only technically-tactically, but also mentally and in the areas of nutrition, performance and things like that,” general manager Marcel Brands told VI about Cocu’s appointment.
Huub Stevens, who was both a player and a trainer in Eindhoven, thinks the addition of Cocu is a smart move by the PSV management. “If anyone has the experience of what the right path is for a professional footballer, it is Phillip Cocu. I think the club is on the right track, but it all takes time.”
Stevens recognizes and acknowledges that the transition for young players to the first team can be a tough task. “The really great talents will break through at some point. It is mainly about the large group below, who need even more flying hours. How do you deal with that?”, says the Limburger, who points out another important point.
‘Level has gone up’
“PSV has been a Champions League club again for several years. This has ensured that the level at the club has risen. That only makes it more difficult for the youth,” Stevens emphasizes.
“That peak will be even higher, making the breakthrough of a top talent once every four or five years, so to speak. Fernandez like that, he has something special. But give that boy time.”
