Ilse Van Der Zanden

Ilse Van Der Zanden, a commanding presence at the heart of Fiorentina's defense, is renowned for her leadership and defensive acumen in the Serie A Femminile. As a central defender with a decade of experience, the 31-year-old from the Netherlands has etched her name as one of the key figures in Fiorentina's backline. During the current season, she has played 16 matches, accruing 1602 minutes on the pitch. Her primary role is to stabilize the defense, and her stats reflect her defensive focus, registering zero goals but contributing with an average of 0.06 assists per game. Van Der Zanden’s play is characterized by a low expected goals (xG) rate of 0.1 per game, underlying her role as a staunch defender rather than an offensive threat.

Consistently lauded for her defensive prowess, Van Der Zanden shines in areas crucial to her role as a central back, frequently breaking up opposition plays through her impressive stats, such as 6.18 interceptions per game and a commendable progressive passing distance of 439.95 yards per game. Her ability to carry the ball forward, albeit to a lesser extent with a progressive carrying distance of 48.16 yards per game, complements her defensive skills. With a challenge success rate of 50%, she exemplifies resilience and tenacity, maintaining her position as a driving force within the defensive ranks. Recognized for her defending abilities, Van Der Zanden’s player archetype of a Defending Leader, aligned with her third-place ranking in playmaking, emphasizes her vital tactical awareness and leadership abilities, underscoring her estimated transfer value of €229K.