In a realistic alternate timeline for the 2025/26 Eredivisie season, imagine PSV Eindhoven had managed to keep their captain and veteran striker Luuk de Jong instead of losing him on a free transfer. De Jong’s departure left a significant leadership and goal-scoring void, which PSV sought to fill with new signings like Alassane Pléa and Ruben van Bommel. Retaining de Jong would have preserved a proven Eredivisie goal threat and a stabilizing presence in attack, potentially altering PSV’s transitional season dynamics.
With de Jong still leading the line, PSV’s offensive output might have remained more consistent, especially given that Pléa suffered a severe knee injury ruling him out for the rest of 2025. Without de Jong’s experience and goal-scoring instincts, PSV had to rely heavily on younger or less proven forwards, which likely contributed to some early-season struggles. Keeping de Jong could have mitigated the impact of Pléa’s injury, maintaining PSV’s high-pressing, goal-heavy style under Peter Bosz and possibly preserving their title defense momentum from the previous season[1][6].
This alternate scenario would also have ripple effects on PSV’s transfer strategy. The club might have been less inclined to invest heavily in attacking reinforcements like Pléa or to accelerate the integration of youth players into key roles. The presence of de Jong could have allowed PSV to focus more on shoring up other areas, such as defense, where they brought in Yarek Gąsiorowski and Kiliann Sildillia. This shift in priorities might have strengthened the squad balance, making PSV more resilient across the season.
For other Eredivisie teams, PSV’s retention of de Jong could have intensified the title race. Feyenoord and Ajax, both strong contenders, would have faced a more formidable PSV attack, possibly affecting their approach to matches and transfer decisions. The psychological impact of facing a full-strength PSV with a seasoned striker might have influenced game outcomes, league standings, and even fan engagement throughout the season.
Overall, this alternate history underscores how a single key player’s retention can influence team tactics, transfer policies, and competitive dynamics in the Eredivisie. PSV’s 2025/26 campaign, while still promising, would likely have been steadier and more threatening with Luuk de Jong leading the front line, potentially reshaping the title race and the broader league narrative.