Thom Van Bergen, Groningen's false nine

Dutch playmaker Van Bergen, 22, has scored six goals in nine Eredivisie games for Groningen and is a key player for the Netherlands U21 side.

Thom Van Bergen is a 22-year-old Dutch playmaker for Groningen who has made an impressive start to the Eredivisie season with six goals in nine matches. Standing 1.80m tall and naturally right-footed, Van Bergen operates as a false nine behind striker Brynjólfur Willumsson, forming one of the league's most interesting attacking partnerships that has delivered 12 goals and pushed Groningen to seventh place.

Born in Haren on the outskirts of Groningen, Van Bergen joined the club's youth academy at age 11 and progressed through the ranks under coach Dick Lukkien, who considers him "a player for top clubs". He has scored against Utrecht, Ado Den Haag, Twente, PSV Zwolle, Excelsior and Ajax this season. Van Bergen is contracted until 2028 with a valuation around €7 million and is a regular for the Netherlands U21 team under Michael Reiziger, with 19 caps and four goals. He has cited Luis Suárez as an influence, admiring the Uruguayan's movement, instinct and cunning.