Eredivisie 2024/25 Preview: Heracles Almelo | OneFootball

Heracles Almelo’s opening day ended scoreless away against Sparta Rotterdam, and it continued the vein of a pretty bleak 2023-24 where the Heraclieden finished 14th. Just surviving outside of the relegation play-off place by four points last term, manager Erwin van de Looi will be hoping to inspire his side to a better finish this season.

Jizz Hornkamp was one positive in 23-24 with 10 goals and two assists in 17 games, yet he can’t be the only attacking option. Manager Van de Looi perhaps recognises this, especially with the departures of Mohamed Sankoh and Emil Hansson. The refreshing of other positions around the team have been interesting so far.

This window, the Almelo club have made 11 signings, so this opening draw could be seen as a stable point to build from as everyone continues to bed in and bond amidst a number of outgoings as well.

Last season’s position: 14th

Transfers In: Luka Kulenovic (Slovan Liberec), Jan Zamburek (Viborg FF), Lorenzo Milani (Pescara), Ivan Mesik (Pescara), Daniel van Kaam (SC Cambuur), Damon Mirani (FC Volendam), Robin Mantel (Helmond Sport), Shiloh ‘t Zand (Feyenoord, Loan), Mimeirhel Benita (Feyenoord, Loan), Juho Talvitie (Lommel SK, Loan), Jop Tijink (FC Twente)

Transfers Out: Emil Hansson (Birmingham City), Michael Brouwer (FC Utrecht), Sven Sonnenberg (Saarbrucken), Jetro Willems (Castellon), Robin Jalving (FC Emmen), Chiel Olde Keizer (FC Emmen), Anas Ouahim (Sydney FC), Lasse Wehmeyer (VVV-Venlo), Navajo Bakboord (Released), Marko Vejinovic (Retired)

Overview: Immediately eye-catching in their signings so far, is this theme of pairs. Heracles have two new players from Pescara in defenders Lorenzo Milani and Ivan Mesik. There’s also a pair of loans from Feyenoord, as the high potential duo of Mimeirhel Benita and Shiloh ‘t Zand seem chomping at the bit for senior game time.

The acquisition of a number of defensive figures shows that Van de Looi is conscious of bettering the goals against tally from last term. Already beginning with a clean sheet, Heracles will be hoping to concede an amount nowhere near the 74 they did prior. That was the second-worst tally of the season, behind only second-bottom Volendam.

As ten outgoings have left the club, and it seems that Heracles have tried to trim down on the deadwood and tranform from last term’s mediocrity. New signings like the dynamic midfielder Daniel van Kaam from Cambuur and Luka Kulenovic signal a hopefully refreshing change. Kulenovic starred for Slovan Liberec last season, scoring seven and assisting two as the Blue-whites finished ninth in the Czech top tier.

Before the season kicked off, Van de Looi spoke of a shift in mentality at Heracles Almelo:

“A lot happened last summer. We said goodbye to players, new players joined and we also lost a number of players due to injuries or transfers. All sorts of things happen during this period, you have to deal with that. The process of building up takes time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t perform in the meantime. Ultimately, we want to grow into a young, fresh and dynamic team.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield