As per Voetbal Internationalโs Rob Aarts, PEC Zwolle will start the season with an Eredivisie debutant in goal.
De Blauwvingers will be without Jasper Schendelaar for the start of the season. The 24-year-old keeper is sidelined with a knee injury, and PEC cannot comment on the severity of Schendelaarโs issues. It is clear, though, that the stopper will miss the Eredivisie season opener and itโs unclear when he will be able to return to action.
Schendelaarโs injury seems to give Tom de Graaff a chance in first season at the highest level. The 20-year-old goalkeeper joined on loan from FC Utrecht (with an option to buy) and was immediately in goal for Saturdayโs away friendly against Portsmouth. Although they were defeated 1-0, De Graaf put in a credible performance.
Although De Graaf doesnโt yet have any Eredivisie experience, he has played 62 matches for Jong Ajax and Jong FC Utrecht in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. The same applies to Duke Verduin (21), who will temporarily serve as De Graaffโs understudy. PEC open the new season on Sunday with a home match against FC Twente.
GBeNeFNย |ย Max Bradfield
