Who is Kees Smit? AZ wonderkid linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid

AZ star Kees Smith has been within the headlines this week after admitting he’s been having fun with see his identify linked with Spanish giants Barcelona and Actual Madrid.

The defender spoke to the press whereas on worldwide responsibility with the Netherlands U21 nationwide group.

”[The U19 Euros] helped with the eye. Not in Zakynthos [while on holiday]however I did see my identify throughout social media. I learn I used to be on the radar of Actual Madrid and Barcelona. That made me proud,” he instructed De Telegraaf.

“I speak about it at house generally, not each week. However I do know what I would like – an excellent season with AZ. After that we’ll see. I wish to take a step ahead, however it doesn’t need to be subsequent 12 months. Nonetheless, I do wish to attain the highest as quickly as doable.”

So what can we learn about Smit and would he be an excellent signing for Barca? Properly, the Dutch star is simply 19 however shot to fame final summer season with an excellent exhibiting on the U19 European Championship.

Smit didn’t simply captain the Netherlands to the title, he additionally gained the Participant of the Match award and went house with the highest scorer prize, too. Not unhealthy going.

Barcelona have additionally come up in opposition to Smit already in his younger profession. He confronted the Catalans within the UEFA Youth League again in 2023 and scored from the midway line. As memorable targets go, it’s proper up there.

Smit is already a daily for AZ and is extensively thought to be one of many Netherlands’ most enjoyable abilities. A senior name as much as the nationwide group is probably not too distant which might see him hyperlink up with Frenkie de Jong – a participant he’s already been in contrast with.

His rise has additionally received the rumor mill all excited. On the final depend it’s not simply Actual Madrid and Barcelona who’ve been linked, Chelsea, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Manchester United are additionally regarded as eager on {the teenager}. That listing will certainly develop if he continues his present trajectory.

And it’s not simply the De Jong comparisons that Smit has needed to put up with. He’s additionally been likened to Kevin De Bruyne as a result of his nice imaginative and prescient, passing vary and skill within the closing third.

The excellent news for Barcelona, if they’re certainly eager, is that Smit does appear to be a fan. He was requested concerning the Blaugrana again in April and instructed de Volskrant: “I don’t know if that’s practical; it is dependent upon the approaching years. They’re taking part in actually nice soccer once more now, stunning soccer.”

What we do know is that if Smit retains impressing, the switch discuss will carry on coming.