Player Focus: Revitalised Maher Enjoying New Role at PSV

If there's one thing the Dutch do well it's developing technically-astute footballers. This fine tradition, despite the on-going identity crisis befalling the national game, continues today. There is no better example than Adam Maher, who after going through a dip has recaptured the form and bravado that catapulted him into the public eye, and he is now one of the pillars behind PSV's formidable title challenge.

Much has been said of the prodigious midfielder since emerging at the back-end of 2010, and with good reason; Maher – a former 'Dutch Football Talent of the Year' – is as naturally gifted as they come. After viewing him close up when Anzhi Makhachkala faced AZ in 2012, current Oranje boss, Guus Hiddink, described him as "special" and "possessing unquestionable quality".  It's hard not to get excited; people want him to succeed, and three months into this season he hasn't disappointed.

Of course last season was frustrating – three goals and one assist across 26 games, for an attack-minded playmaker, is simply not good enough – but there needs to be perspective. A talent of his calibre doesn't just suddenly lose ability. Getting used to his new surroundings took time, particularly after being handed new responsibilities, which only aided (if not accelerated) his maturation. In other words, a slight adjustment was made to his game. This meant moving a line further back: at AZ he was deployed as a 'number 10' (in a 4-2-3-1 system), often acting as a shadow striker, whereas with PSV he's been utilised in the 'number 8' role (in a classic 4-3-3). 

One trait that has remained constant since arriving in Eindhoven from AZ last summer is his modesty and willingness to learn, and there is no better teacher than Phillip Cocu. Greatly renowned for his tactical acumen and leadership, turning him into one of the most accomplished midfielders in the late 90s and early 2000s, this season he's adopted a tough but fair line of attack. On the one hand he recognised Maher's gift – which made him indispensable during his formative years under the auspices of Gertjan Verbeek at Alkmaar – but he is also not afraid of dropping him if he starts to fall below what is expected of him. 

He is, after all, two years shy of the age many Dutch coaches feel should be the start of a player’s ascent towards excellence. Going on recent history, everything is set up for him to succeed; his concentration and maturity beyond his years turned him into a leader at AZ and youth level and he previously captained the Netherlands under-19 and under-21 sides. "A pure football talent," Wim van Zwam – his coach at under-15 and under-19 level – enthuses. "He's unperturbed, takes responsibility, and doesn't have a big mouth".

A considerable amount, it must be said, of Maher's recent success is down to Cocu's attitude. He's more resourceful, so we're seeing the 'Hiddinkite' in him emerge, and it's making a difference. Cocu, like his mentor, is geared towards relentlessly creating scoring opportunities a minimal amount of passes: average possession and short passes per game is down from last season whilst goals on the counter (3) and average shots per game (16.8) are up.

A focused and stable PSV has revitalised Maher; who thrives in periods of tranquillity in matches, when he grabs games by the scruff of the neck, and with 35% of the season completed, his goal and assist tally is doubled from last year. One more would equal his best return (seven in 2012-13).

Rising to the occasion, he's shown the discipline to take on added defensive responsibilities (1.9 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game). Reference has been made to the metronomic Xavi, whom he studies, and it's in the area where Barça's maestro excels that Maher has seen the biggest turnaround: 2.8 chances created and 53.3 passes per game this season, compared to 1.2 and 38.1 last year.

When you're enjoying your football, though, nonchalance and a danger of getting carried away are never far away. A criticism he has made of himself is that he is sometimes "careless" in his play. The freedom to express himself paid dividends for AZ, where he first made everyone sit up and take notice and he was subsequently dubbed the "dancing butterfly". However, while some managers would beat this out of a player, Cocu is not doing that. He wants a more structured Maher but realises that the player’s spontaneous ability can be a huge advantage. At full flight there's something childlike and infectious about the way he goes about his business. Like many Dutch footballers, much of his technical ability and speed of thought was honed playing street football.

Last season the Eindhoveners’ inconsistency boiled down to the youthful nature of their squad, when the average age of their starting eleven was in the early 20s. It's still relatively similar this season but they've shown resiliency – even if the odd case of absent-mindedness threatens – succinctly displayed by Karim Rekik's late winner away to Heracles before the international break to preserve their four-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie.

PSV, chasing a first championship since 2008, were once the dominant power in the Netherlands; it's that stature that Cocu and his company desire. As for Maher, after last season's false start, he's given himself a wonderful opportunity to write his own chapter in the 'City of Light'.

How highly do you rate Adam Maher? Let us know in the comments below