Joey Veerman has become one of the most intriguing and technically gifted footballers to emerge from the Netherlands in the past decade. Joey Veerman’s rise from playing in local Dutch youth systems to dominating Eredivisie midfields, starring for PSV Eindhoven, and becoming a regular for the Netherlands national team has captured the attention of fans, analysts, and scouts worldwide. As of 2025, he is widely considered one of Europe’s most intelligent midfield creators—a deep-lying playmaker with a rare blend of vision, composure, passing precision, and tactical clarity.
Who Is Joey Veerman?
Joey Veerman is a Dutch professional footballer known for his elite playmaking skills, positional intelligence, and ability to dictate the tempo from midfield. Born on November 19, 1998, he rose through the ranks at Volendam before becoming a star at SC Heerenveen and later joining PSV Eindhoven, where he has solidified himself as one of the best midfielders in the Eredivisie.
Veerman is primarily a deep-lying midfielder or regista, orchestrating play from deeper zones. His passing range, vision, ball retention, and calm decision-making make him integral to possession-heavy teams.
Why Joey Veerman Has Become a Global Football Talking Point in 2025
By 2025, several key factors explain Joey Veerman’s popularity and importance:
His ability to control matches with minimal touches and maximum efficiency.
His exceptional passing accuracy and creative output.
His maturity as a game controller for both PSV and the Netherlands.
The rising global demand for intelligent midfield conductors.
Increasing tactical emphasis on hybrid No. 6/8 roles.
Strong performances in European competitions.
His advanced football IQ and disciplined approach.
In a football world obsessed with pressing and speed, Joey Veerman has revived appreciation for thoughtful, precise, tempo-setting midfielders.
Early Life and Background
Joey Veerman was born in Purmerend, a city in North Holland, and started his football journey with Volendam, a club celebrated for producing technically gifted talents. Growing up, he was known for his calmness on the ball and unusual passing range for his age. Coaches frequently described him as a “midfield thinker”—someone who saw plays before others did.
His upbringing in the Dutch football ecosystem significantly shaped his career. The Netherlands places immense importance on technical development from a young age. At Volendam, Veerman was encouraged to:
Master first touch
Improve spatial awareness
Develop ambidexterity
Learn positional play principles
Think proactively rather than reactively
This foundation became crucial later in his professional journey.
Joey Veerman’s Club Career Journey
Youth Career at Volendam
Veerman joined Volendam’s youth academy as a child, impressing coaches with his intelligence and decision-making. While not physically dominant, he compensated with his game understanding and ball control. His development included playing in multiple midfield roles—No. 6, No. 8, and occasionally No. 10.
First-Team Breakthrough at Volendam
He made his professional debut at 16. His composure on the ball, even at a young age, made him stand out. During his time at Volendam, he became known for:
Long diagonal passes
Set-piece delivery
Vision to break defensive lines
Mature game management
These characteristics caught the attention of larger Dutch clubs.
Transfer to SC Heerenveen
In 2019, Joey Veerman signed for SC Heerenveen, a move that elevated him to the Eredivisie. This period was crucial in shaping him into a top midfielder. Heerenveen gave him freedom to create, and he quickly became one of the league’s most productive playmakers.
He developed:
Elite forward passing tendencies
Better physical endurance
Tactical adaptability
Consistent ball progression
Heerenveen also helped him polish defensive awareness, enabling him to contribute in deeper midfield roles.
Move to PSV Eindhoven
In 2022, Veerman made a significant career leap by joining PSV Eindhoven. At PSV, he evolved into a complete midfielder, combining creativity with tactical maturity. He played under managers who trusted his abilities and built their midfield structures around his strengths.
Highlights at PSV include:
Dominating Eredivisie midfield battles
Becoming one of the league’s best creators
Improving pressing resistance
Contributing to goals and assists consistently
Gaining European competition experience
By 2025, he had become a central figure in PSV’s midfield and a leader on the pitch.
Joey Veerman’s International Career with the Netherlands
Veerman’s rise earned him a call-up to the Dutch national team. His calm temperament, technical skill, and understanding of “Total Football” principles made him a natural fit for the national setup.
He has featured as:
A deep-lying midfielder
A central No. 8
A hybrid playmaker responsible for transitions
His performances drew praise for their intelligence and precision. With the Netherlands focusing more on creative build-up play in recent years, Veerman’s profile aligns perfectly with the national team’s direction.
Joey Veerman’s Playing Style Explained
Joey Veerman is best described as a regista, a controlling midfielder who dictates the rhythm of the game. His style emphasizes calmness, vision, and anticipation rather than physicality or raw pace.
Key Traits
Elite Passing Range
Veerman excels at:
Long diagonals
Threaded through-balls
Vertical progressions
Quick switches of play
He is particularly effective at breaking high defensive lines.
Outstanding Vision
Few midfielders see passing lanes as early as Veerman does. His anticipation makes him dangerous even when appearing to have limited space.
Press Resistance
He rarely panics under pressure. Instead, he uses calm touches, quick turns, and smart positioning to evade opposition presses.
Game Control
He dictates tempo by choosing when to slow or accelerate play. This makes him invaluable in possession-oriented systems.
Set-Piece Mastery
His deliveries from corners and free kicks are consistently accurate, adding another dimension to his game.
Tactical Intelligence
His awareness allows him to play multiple roles and adapt to different formations.
Strengths of Joey Veerman
Technical excellence
High football IQ
Efficient ball circulation
Strong chance creation
Outstanding passing accuracy
Ability to orchestrate from deep
Mentally composed under pressure
Weaknesses or Areas for Growth
Even great players have areas to improve. Veerman can still develop in:
Defensive duels
Physical duels due to natural build
Sprint recovery during transitions
Aggression in tackles
Yet many of these weaknesses are manageable in systems that protect deep creators.
Tactical Analysis of Joey Veerman
Role in Possession
Veerman acts as the primary distributor. He stays slightly behind the midfield line, receiving the ball from defenders and starting play. His positioning ensures he always has multiple passing angles available.
Role Without Possession
While not the most aggressive defender, he positions himself intelligently to intercept passes and cut off opposition progression. He relies on reading the game rather than physical challenges.
Role in Transitions
In positive transitions, he launches attacks quickly with sharp forward passes.
In negative transitions, he supports recovery shape, ensuring the team remains compact.
Role in the Final Third
Although not always the main finisher, he contributes with:
Key passes
Assists
Late runs into the box
Set-piece creation
Why Coaches Value Joey Veerman
Coaches admire Veerman because:
He simplifies complex plays.
He increases team control and retention.
He rarely loses the ball in dangerous areas.
He constantly supplies forwards with ammunition.
He adapts to multiple tactical systems effortlessly.
Modern football heavily rewards midfielders who understand space—and Veerman excels here.
Joey Veerman in 2025: Key Trends and Evolving Role
As of 2025, several trends influence the way Veerman is utilized:
Trend 1: Hybrid No. 6/8 Roles
Teams increasingly want midfielders who can do both: distribute like a No. 6 and advance like a No. 8. Veerman fits this hybrid need perfectly.
Trend 2: Positional Play Expansion
Modern football emphasizes structured buildups, where Veerman’s ability to manipulate tempo is highly valued.
Trend 3: Data-Driven Scouting
Analysts appreciate Veerman’s metrics:
High progressive passes
Low turnover rate
High key pass contributions
These make him an analytical favorite.
Trend 4: Creative Midfielders in Demand
As pressing rules evolve, teams need intelligent passers to bypass compact defenses. Veerman’s profile aligns with this trend.
Trend 5: National Team Integration
The Netherlands is embracing a more possession-dominant style in 2025, giving Veerman more responsibility to shape midfield play.
How Joey Veerman Compares to Other Midfielders
Compared to Frenkie de Jong
De Jong excels at dribbling and carrying.
Veerman focuses more on long-range distribution.
They complement each other well.
Compared to Toni Kroos
Veerman’s game is similar in terms of tempo control and passing clarity, though Kroos is more experienced.
Compared to Jorginho
Both act as midfield conductors, but Veerman is more creative in his passing.
Compared to Christian Eriksen (Prime Years)
Veerman shares similar vision and technique but plays deeper.
Real-Life Examples of Joey Veerman’s Impact
Example 1: Controlling Midfield Tempo
In several high-pressure matches for PSV, Veerman slowed the game down when needed, preventing chaos and helping his team maintain composure.
Example 2: Key Creator Against Compact Defenses
Against low-block defenses, his long diagonal switches opened up space for wingers and full-backs.
Example 3: Set-Piece Game-Changers
His corners and free kicks frequently produce scoring opportunities.
How to Play Like Joey Veerman: Step-by-Step Guide
This section is designed for aspiring footballers who want to emulate Veerman’s style.
Step 1: Improve Your First Touch
Veerman’s first touch gives him time and options. Practice receiving the ball under pressure from multiple angles.
Step 2: Train Your Passing Range
Master:
Short passes
Medium passes
Long diagonals
Through-balls
Practice hitting targets from different distances.
Step 3: Develop Press Resistance
Work on:
Turning quickly
Using minimal touches
Shielding the ball
Scanning before receiving
Step 4: Improve Game Intelligence
Study football concepts like:
Positional play
Third-man runs
Build-up patterns
Step 5: Master Set-Pieces
Practice:
Curling deliveries
Driven corners
Free-kick variations
Step 6: Strengthen Mental Composure
Veerman rarely rushes. Practice staying calm under pressure through scenario-based drills.
Practical Tips to Develop Veerman-Style Attributes
Tip 1: Watch Full Matches, Not Just Highlights
Focus on how Veerman moves without the ball.
Tip 2: Practice Scanning Every Few Seconds
Scanning increases your awareness of space and passing options.
Tip 3: Train Vision Through Repetition
Do high-touch passing drills at different speeds.
Tip 4: Work on Weak Foot Passing
Veerman’s two-footedness enhances his unpredictability.
Tip 5: Play Small-Sided Games
This improves your decision-making speed, similar to Veerman’s efficiency.
Lessons Footballers Can Learn from Joey Veerman
Intelligence beats physicality.
Calmness under pressure is a superpower.
Passing precision outweighs unnecessary risks.
Understanding the game elevates performance more than raw athleticism.
A good playmaker must think two steps ahead.
Joey Veerman’s Impact on Modern Dutch Football
Veerman is part of a new Dutch midfield generation that blends classic “Total Football” technical skill with modern tactical intelligence. He represents:
Creativity
Adaptability
Tactical maturity
Ball security
As the Netherlands rebuilds its football identity in 2025, Veerman’s style plays a central role.
Career Highlights and Notable Achievements (Up to 2025)
Rise through Volendam’s youth ranks
Standout seasons at SC Heerenveen
Major transfer to PSV Eindhoven
Eredivisie title contributions
Key roles in European matches
Regular appearances for the Netherlands
Recognition for midfield creativity and productivity
Potential Future Pathways
As of 2025, Joey Veerman’s future looks incredibly promising. Potential pathways include:
Transfer to a Top 5 European League
His style fits teams in Italy, Spain, or Germany particularly well.
Becoming a Long-Term PSV Leader
He may continue anchoring PSV’s midfield for years, becoming a club icon.
Cementing His Role in the National Team
If he continues improving defensively, he could become a core starter.
Evolution into a Senior Playmaker or Mentor
His intelligence makes him a natural future leader and team guide.
FAQs
What position does Joey Veerman play?
Joey Veerman plays primarily as a central midfielder, often in a deep-lying or regista role where he dictates tempo and starts attacking moves.
What makes Joey Veerman special?
His elite passing range, calmness under pressure, football intelligence, and ability to control games make him stand out among midfielders.
Is Joey Veerman a good defender?
While he is not primarily a defensive midfielder, he compensates with intelligent positioning, interceptions, and tactical reading of the game.
What clubs has Joey Veerman played for?
He has played for Volendam, Heerenveen, and PSV Eindhoven, gradually rising as one of the top Dutch midfielders.
What are Joey Veerman’s strengths?
His strengths include exceptional passing, vision, composure, creativity, set-piece skill, and ability to orchestrate play.
Final Thoughts
Joey Veerman has grown into one of the most brilliant midfield architects of his generation. His journey from Volendam’s academy to becoming a central figure at PSV Eindhoven and an important player for the Netherlands showcases the power of intelligence, technique, and composure in football. In an era dominated by speed and physicality, Veerman has carved out a unique place for himself as a master conductor of play—someone who controls matches with vision, elegance, and clarity.
His evolving role in 2025 continues to inspire young midfielders around the world. Whether he stays in the Eredivisie or moves to a top European league, Joey Veerman’s future remains bright, and his influence on modern football will continue to grow.
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