Sparta want Babadi permanently, Groningen uncertain about Land's future

In the Euroborg, where the scent of freshly cut grass mixes with the excitement of a new international break, FC Groningen looks to the future of their loanee Land.

PSV, Feyenoord and Ajax again completed the necessary outgoing loan deals last summer to be able to move their own players elsewhere and/or give them playing time. See us more often on Google. After the first months of the season, a mid‑term assessment is made of how the loanees from the traditional top‑three clubs are performing at their temporary employers.

Babadi seeks permanent place at Sparta

The three players that PSV has loaned out are addressed first. Babadi, a 21‑year‑old youth international, was until recently seen as one of PSV's biggest talents. Last season he did not break any pots at Royal Antwerp, but now gets a year to prove himself at Sparta Rotterdam. Sparta Rotterdam has a purchase option in the loan deal, which could mean Babadi may not return to Eindhoven.

The Nijmegen‑born player has already indicated that he wants Sparta to exercise the option. After his arrival in the final phase of the transfer window, Babadi quickly earned a starting place at Sparta. Coach Rogier Meijer first positioned him as a midfielder, but in recent weeks he consistently plays as a left winger. Wearing Sparta's shirt, Babadi has delivered one goal and three assists.

Last weekend Sparta lost 3‑1 to ADO Den Haag, after which Babadi left the pitch laughing with ADO player Nigel Thomas, a former teammate of PSV. Babadi now gets the playing time he badly needs at Het Kasteel, but still needs to perform more consistently. Whether Sparta will actually exercise the purchase option remains to be seen. Babadi’s contract with PSV runs until the summer of 2028.

Land's role at Groningen under pressure

Land, a midfielder, was for a long time in the same boat as Babadi at PSV. Last season Land was loaned to FC Groningen, where after a difficult start he fully blossomed. Stije Resink’s injury accelerated Land’s rise to an important asset at Groningen. At the end of June Groningen announced that Land is also active this season on loan at the Euroborg.

So far Land has logged minutes in every official Groningen match this season. In the early weeks of the season he started as a regular, but since mid‑September he has consistently come on as a substitute. Left‑back Pelle Clement has now taken Land’s place. Land’s contract with PSV runs until mid‑2029.

Because Groningen did not negotiate a purchase option, Land’s future after this season is uncertain. Land still has a whole football life ahead of him, but he is no longer undisputed at Groningen.

Schiks hopes to break through at RKC

Schiks got two first‑team appearances for PSV last season due to injuries to Matej Kovar and Nick Olij. After four and a half years with Jong PSV he was ready for a new step, because at PSV he had to tolerate Kovar and Olij. Schiks now wants to prove himself for a year at RKC Waalwijk. In Waalwijk Schiks immediately became number one under the bar.

At the end of August, in the match against Helmond Sport, he even wore the captain’s armband. Since mid‑September RKC has not won a single match. As a result RKC now sits eleventh in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. Schiks still has a contract with PSV until the summer of 2028, after it was extended by a year following his temporary move to the Mandemakers Stadion.