Whilst the likes of Aitana Bonmatí and Lauren Hemp will be continually referred to as stars of the 2023 Womens World Cup (and rightly so), there were plenty of other players who can be included in the same sentence and who deserve a mention for their efforts on the field. One who put on some dazzling displays was Netherlands utility player Esmee Brugts, who made a significant impact and attracted a great deal of fan attention. Many have her down as one of the stars of the tournament despite her nation exiting in the quarter-finals.
It is worth noting that Brugts is currently a free agent and has been since the end of last season, having announced her departure from PSV Vrouwen after helping them to fourth place in the Vrouwen Eredivisie, and it will not surprise anyone to learn that there has been a significant amount of interest in her services from some of the biggest names in the European womens game.
To name just a few, she had been linked with PSG Féminine, Eintracht Frankfurt Frauen, Manchester City Women and Wolfsburg Frauen, whilst both Arsenal Women and Manchester United Women reportedly went one step further and spoke to her about a move to either London or the North West.
However, it was announced in the last day that Barcelona Femení have won the race for her signature, which has left many people licking their lips in anticipation of what this could do for her still-burgeoning career. To see just how she could fit into head coach Jonatan Giráldezs tactics, this tactical analysis will look at her game in closer detail, both in attack for PSV last season and in defence for her country, before highlighting where the Liga F giants could best deploy her in 2023/24.
As a forward
As mentioned, Esmee Brugts was primarily utilised in the forward line during her time at PSV, with her usually seen in the wide areas as head coach Rick de Rooij tried to make the most of her creative qualities and her goalscoring capabilities.
With Brugts known for her composure on the ball and ability to occupy tight spaces, it was a role that really suited her, but what some might not have appreciated is just how wide she likes to get, with her often seen running along the paintwork of the sideline in her efforts to move the ball around opponents and into the areas behind them.
For many, this would be too risky as there is a significant chance that the ball could edge out of play, but that has never bothered Brugts. She has instead used it to her advantage, with her continually catching opponents off-guard with her determined runs and the decisive manner of her play. In this case, she notices a small gap outside of Isa Kardinaal. She takes the ball forward before the Ajax Vrouwen defender has had a chance to set herself, meaning that Kardinaal is unable to react in time and can only watch as Brugts races past her and sends the ball into the middle.
