Pleun Groot

Pleun Groot is a promising young footballer making a name for herself as a right-back for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie Women’s league. At just 20 years of age, the Dutch national has already demonstrated significant potential, offering solid defensive capabilities for her team. In her appearances so far, Groot has featured in six games, accumulating 248 minutes on the pitch. Although she has yet to register her first goal or assist, her contributions extend beyond simple statistics, with her play reflecting the qualities of a Defending Leader as categorized by her playing style archetype.

Groot’s defensive acumen is highlighted by her impressive interception stats, with a possession-adjusted average of 4.35 interceptions per game. Her ability to anticipate the play and disrupt the opposition is a testament to her defensive intelligence and timing. While her challenge numbers are slightly lower, with 2.37 challenges per game and a success rate of 43%, Pleun is nonetheless an active defender whose presence is felt across the back line. As she continues to develop her skills, it's expected that her challenge efficiency will improve, making her an even more formidable force in defense.

In addition to her defensive responsibilities, Pleun Groot demonstrates potential as a playmaker from the back. Her progressive passing distance per game stands at an impressive 136.96 meters, signaling her capability to transition play and initiate attacks from the defensive third. This attribute, combined with a playmaker rank of 1.5, sets her apart as a valuable asset in her team’s efforts to build play and maintain possession through the flanks. Her progressive carrying distance of nearly 30 meters per game also shows her willingness and ability to advance the ball upfield, adding another dimension to her overall game.

Despite having a low expected goals (xG) tally of 0.05 and taking 0.79 shots per game, Pleun Groot's role as a right-back focuses more on creating and preventing opportunities rather than finishing them. Her estimated transfer value of €77K reflects both her current contributions and her potential for future growth. As she continues to develop, AZ Alkmaar and Dutch football fans alike can look forward to seeing how Groot’s skill set will evolve, making her a player to watch in the coming years.