The lowdown on Mats Wieffer

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Here's how our signing from Feyenoord faired before his move to Albion.

2024-07-18T06:00+01:00

Mats Wieffer joined Albion on a five-year deal.

“Within five games, no one could imagine a Feyenoord without Mats Wieffer.”

Although Wieffer is now a Brighton player, a Netherlands international and has a couple of trophies in his cabinet, things could have turned out very differently for the defensive midfielder.

When he joined Feyenoord from second-tier Dutch side Excelsior in 2022, he had to bide his time under then-manager Arne Slot – and had it not been for some good fortune, Wieffer could have walked a very different path.

Dutch football expert Richard Dubbeld said, “When he came to Excelsior in 2020, nobody had ever heard of him. However, he was one of their most important players within a year.

“In the winter break of 2022/23, Feyenoord tried to buy Ramiz Zerrouki from FC Twente because Slot needed a physically strong defensive midfielder. That fell through on the last day of the transfer window and because of injuries, Wieffer had to play.

“Within five games, no one could imagine a Feyenoord without Mats Wieffer. They went on to become Eredivisie champions that year. It was like a puzzle had been solved. Wieffer, Sebastian Szymanski and Orkun Kokcu formed a really dynamic midfield.”

Indeed, in his 54 games in the Dutch top-flight, Wieffer averaged 2.52 points per Eredivisie match. No Dutch player, with a minimum of 50 games under their belt, had recorded a better average in the league’s history – beating legends such as Johan Cruyff and Clarence Seedorf.

So, what type of player are Brighton getting, following the 24-year-old’s arrival earlier this month?

Dennis Kranenburg, who covers Feyenoord for Dutch broadcaster Rijnmond, said, “Mats is a player who never gives up. He became the missing link between Feyenoord’s offence and defence.

“His strengths are his mentality, his ability to make interceptions and win duels. He is also good at one-touch passing and spotting space in the game. The way he developed at Feyenoord was impressive.”

Dubbeld added, “He can play box-to-box, he’s a good passer, is always in the right spot to stop the opponent's attack, and is very energetic – it seems like he can run forever.

“If he wasn’t injured towards the end of last season, he would probably have played in every game at Euro 2024 because Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman is a big fan of his.”

The former FC Twente man, who scored nine goals and bagged 11 assists in 79 matches in all competitions for Feyenoord, was in the top ten per cent for successful take-ons, interceptions, through balls, passes blocked, and ball recoveries.

Now the test will be if he can adapt to the rigours of the Premier League. But according to Dubbeld, his time working with Slot - who is now Liverpool’s new manager - will help him in the English top-flight.

“Every player needs time. But because he worked with Slot, that gives him an advantage in making that leap to the Premier League. Slot likes intense football and teams who can play at a high tempo and level,” he said. “I think Brighton is the right club for him. The longer he is at Brighton, the better he will become.”

Kranenburg added, “At the beginning of his time at Feyenoord, he needed time to adapt. He then got his chance and took it with both hands. His physique and condition improved, and he became one of the key players at Feyenoord. While he may need to improve his game when in tight spaces, I am confident he can do the same at Brighton.”