When an agent is describing one of his clients as a “fantastic, exemplary” player, it’s difficult not to be reminded of the time your mum called you the “most handsome boy in school”.
So when reading an interview Bart Baving gave to FC Inter News last week, it’s worth keeping in mind that, as Teun Koopmeiners’ agent, Baving is about as biased as they come.
Then again, the AZ Alkmaar captain deserves every piece of praise that comes his way after another fabulous season in the Netherlands.
And, after Liverpool became the latest European powerhouse to be linked with the Holland international, it’s difficult to escape the feeling this big fish would benefit from escaping the shallow waters of Eredivisie football (Calciomercato).
“He is on the list of many clubs in the top five European leagues. Inter Milan is one of them,” Baving said a few days ago.
“When this season ends, Teun will have another two years of contract left. And he is more than ready for the next step in his career.”
Standing at 6ft, Koopmeiners is an imposing physical presence, his extraordinary technique, set-piece mastery and impressive adaptability earning him the admiration of scouts across Europe.
The 23-year-old has produced 17 goals and seven assists for AZ this season too, despite operating largely in a defensive midfield role. Koopmeiners is equally comfortable at centre-half, his superb reading of the game and fine passing range reminiscent of a Monaco-era Fabinho.
“A player with fantastic game vision, excellent passing, powerful, quality and a natural leader who is truly consistent in quality and mentality,” Baving adds. “For a coach, he is the perfect athlete to work with, an exemplary professional.
“It’s always difficult to make comparisons but he’s a Toni Kroos, Jorginho, (Nemanja) Matic or (Manuel) Locatelli type. Only that Teun will score more goals than any of these players.”
With Koopmeiners ready to make the transition to a major European league, his agent is certainly on the charm offensive. But, if you’ve watched the AZ skipper go from strength to strength in the past two years or so, it’s hard to disagree with anything Baving says.
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