Player Focus: Jóhannsson Excelling in Altidore's Absence
It's funny how a song can remind you of someone. "Born in the USA", for example, in one part of the Netherlands is now synonymous with Jozy Altidore. Bruce Springsteen's anthem was heard a total of 20 times at the AFAS Stadion – home of AZ – last season, one for each goal. Replacing him, having become an integral figure, was going to be a challenge, but they've managed beyond everyone's expectation.
His departure on the back of his most productive season (23 goals in 33 games) was sudden but expected. It was record-breaking, across all competitions, his 31 goals was the most by an American in Europe, surpassing Clint Dempsey's 23 for Fulham in 2011-12. Earnest Stewart, former US international and AZ's sporting director, calmed fears by describing his in-house successor as "a player to be reckoned with," which he's proven to be. The man in question, Aron Jóhannsson, has made the seamless transition from understudy to lead.
Altidore's goals weren't enough to position AZ higher than 10th last season. His partnership with playmaker Adam Maher (now at PSV) – both securing a KNVB Beker triumph at the expense of PSV – was a shining light. However, in a way it was a weakness. It made them more predictable, but they’re slightly less so this season with Jóhannsson up front.
Both have proven to be strong finishers in the AZ jersey but have been utilised differently due to their contrasting attributes. Altidore is more powerful and the ideal focal point, holding-up the play and allowing others into the game, whereas Jóhannsson is more nimble, making him difficult to defend against more often than not. He loves to drop into midfield and involve himself in AZ's build-up having created 24 chances this season (four assists).
Being comfortable out on the flanks, where he often drifts, is borne out of his previous experience playing as a winger – lethal acceleration over short distances has given many defenders sleepless nights. Slightly shorter than Altidore, a low centre of gravity enables him to be elusive on his feet.
Jóhannsson’s tally of 12 goals is only bettered by Alfred Finnbogason (19) and Graziano Pellè (15). However, out of the 5 players in the Eredivisie with 10 or more Jóhannsson has the best conversion rate (29.3%). He’s the kind of striker Dick Advocaat dreams about: clinical and tailor-made for his system.
Advocaat, who managed the club between 2009 and 2010, returned after AZ relieved Gertjan Verbeek of his duties eight games into the season after it became clear there was a "lack of chemistry" with his squad. A diligent man-manager with an innate ability to get the best out of his players, Advocaat was the ideal replacement. Being demanding, pugnacious as well as opinionated earned him the moniker 'The Little General' (after Rinus Michels).
"Winning changes attitude," is Advocaat's mantra. The more games you win, the more confidence grows. Things started well, three successive wins followed by back-to-back draws (including a hard-fought point at De Kuip against Feyenoord). Then the wheels started to come off: two points from the next 18 available and four consecutive defeats.
A resounding win over NAC Breda in the first game of 2014 was followed by a narrow defeat in Eindhoven - Advocaat's former stomping ground. It was also his first managerial tussle with Phillip Cocu, the player he signed back in 1995 that typifies the football he preaches.
It tends to be forgotten, but much of Advocaat's coaching philosophy is drawn from the 'PSV School', which prescribes aggression before aesthetics and 'attack is the best form of defence' (even if that doesn't make literal sense). Wherever he's been it's the same; line-ups laced with skilful midfielders and wingers with the objective of creating scoring opportunities with the fewest amount of passes.
Despite a pragmatic image portrayed in the media the man from Den Haag sees football as art and encourages those under him to express themselves. It's also unfair to label his approach as 'direct', there's nothing one dimensional about Advocaat, who remains an ardent disciple of the Dutch way of playing. However, unlike those in Amsterdam he prefers not to take up to thirty touches of the ball before a shot on goal. AZ's average possession of 50.7% per game is seventh highest in the division.
Jóhannsson's exploits haven't gone unnoticed outside of the Netherlands – linked with several clubs – or by USA coach Jürgen Klinsmann. A spot in the United States squad at this summer's World Cup would cap off a whirlwind year. Jóhannsson made headlines last July when he pledged his international future to the US, the country of his birth, ahead of his ancestral home of Iceland, where his formative years was spent. It meant not being part of a squad that includes fellow Eredivisie strikers Finnbogason and Sigþórsson. The former even suggested playing all three when Jóhannsson seemed available for selection.
He's since played in six internationals for the Stars and Stripes, scoring once away to Panama in America's final World Cup qualifying game last October. Currently on 20 goals in all competitions, Jóhannsson could very well end this season as the most prolific American goal scorer in a European season, overtaking Altidore.
The ability to play as a deep-lying forward, as part of a tandem with Altidore, has given Klinsmann food for thought. "He has the confidence to carry out that role if we ask him to." Jóhannsson stepping out to represent the US in Brazil would bring a smile to Stewart's face, and one that'll grow wider if Jóhannsson can match him by scoring on the grandest stage.
Should Jóhannsson start for the US at the World Cup this summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
