AZ Alkmaar face a difficult decision regarding goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro due to a surplus of players in his position. According to a FootballTransfers analysis, the 22-year-old has lost his starting spot to new signing Jari De Busser, leaving the club at a crossroads.
Manager Leeroy Echteld currently has four goalkeepers at his disposal. Alongside Owusu-Oduro and new arrival Jari De Busser, experienced duo Jeroen Zoet and Hobie Verhulst are also under contract. De Busser joined from Go Ahead Eagles this summer for an undisclosed multi-million fee. His arrival caused an immediate shift in the pecking order. Owusu-Oduro, who was the first-choice keeper in recent seasons, must now accept a backup role. The club has a challenging run of fixtures ahead, visible in the standings, and needs stability between the posts.
The choice of De Busser as the new number one is backed by data. FootballTransfers reports the Belgian has a Skill rating of 59.6, while Owusu-Oduro's rating is 56.8. However, the AZ academy product still has high potential, with a possible future rating of 72.2. De Busser, aged 24, spent last season as a starter at Go Ahead Eagles. Owusu-Oduro showed his qualities at AZ but also made noticeable errors. Competition in the Eredivisie is fierce, as reflected in the league's stats.
With four goalkeepers, AZ simply have one too many. A departure in the final days of the transfer window is therefore a real possibility. There is concrete interest in Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro. The young goalkeeper was recently linked with French top club Olympique Marseille. His Estimated Transfer Value is seven million euros, which could represent a significant windfall for AZ. A departure for Jeroen Zoet is also a logical option, given his contract expires at the end of this season. Verhulst has the lowest rating of the quartet at 42.6.
The decision AZ makes now will have consequences for the coming years. If Owusu-Oduro leaves, a talented, young keeper departs the club. If they keep him, one of the other experienced goalkeepers will likely have to go. The goalkeeping department is a key pillar for achieving this season's objectives. The full squad, including all goalkeepers, can be viewed on our squad page. AZ Alkmaar's next league match is on Saturday, 12 September against FC Utrecht, a fixture where the goalkeeper choice will receive extra scrutiny.
