Last week Vangelis Pavlidis made a big impression on Johan Derksen and René van der Gijp. The attacker of Willem II managed to score twice against both Progrès Niedercorn (Europa League) and Heracles Almelo (Eredivisie) and was also inimitable with his dribbles at times, as was noted on Monday evening at Veronica Inside.

Pavlidis is in his second season in the service of Willem II, which the 21-year-old Greek picked up a year ago for 250,000 euros at the German VfL Bochum. He also played on loan for Borussia Dortmund in the past and is now finally fulfilling his promise. “I was particularly impressed by that Willem II striker. He is actually a giveaway from Borussia Dortmund, but he is really a top player for the Eredivisie”, says Derksen.

Fellow analyst Van der Gijp points to Pavlidis’s qualities at the ball. “He keeps the ball close to himself and then also dares to get very close to the opponent with the ball,” said the former attacker. “A bit of what Messi also has”, Derksen adds enthusiastically. Van der Gijp: “Yes, but in a different way. He then runs to the opponent, after which he makes a decision at the last moment. The opponent has trouble with that anyway. The boy plays really well.”

“He is very fast with the ball at the foot”, Derksen continues. “In the penalty area, the defenders are becoming a bit careful, because the ball is on the dot. The boy makes good use of that.” Hans Kraay junior, who is also present, notes that Greece is well represented in the Eredivisie this season, because Pavlidis’ fellow countryman Georgios Giakoumakis already made a great impression on behalf of VVV-Venlo in the first two rounds with three goals and an assist. The 25-year-old Giakoumakis was recently picked up by the Limburgers at AEK Athens. “They got it for 180,000 or 190,000 euros”, says Kraay junior. “He can do something. He made three great goals for FC Emmen.” Derksen shares the admiration for Giakoumakis. “But as a footballer I think he is much less than that Willem II boy,” the experienced analyst concludes.