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A Scouting Report on Incoming Terrier Delano Burgzorg

15/08/2023

One of my favourite things I get to write about is confirmed and potential signings for Town. From players such as Levi Colwill and Elijah Adebayo to Mipo Odubeko and Ravel Morrison, it is always interesting to research the players Town are interested in. This summer the rumour mill is as quiet as I can remember. It has consisted of 'journalists' (and I use that term loosely) linking Town to all of Warnock's old favourites (not to mention the articles about Connor Mahoney being on 17k a week!) At this point, I am surprised that Ronnie Jepson hasn't been linked with a return to Town's playing squad!

For the avoidance of doubt, I can assure you that Connor Mahoney is not on anywhere near the figure reported, nor is Danny Ward on 22k a week. The 'journalism' is lazy and just to get clicks. Warnock confirmed in a pre-match press conference that Town lost out on his number one striker target, with the club he ended up at paying him 2.5x the wage Town offered. From what I have read and heard, Town's highest earners are on around the £12,000 a week mark. This figure checks out since 2.5x £12,000 is £30,000 a week, which is the amount top-end players in the division are paid.

However, the wait is seemingly over, as there are strong links to say that Huddersfield are set to sign Delano Burgzorg from German top-flight outfit Mainz. A former Dutch youth international, Burgzorg has mainly been utilised down the left flank throughout the majority of his career, but has featured exclusively as a striker since making the move to Germany.

His Career So Far

Having risen through the ranks at De Graafschap, Delano broke through into the first team in the 18/19 campaign where he made 26 appearances and scored 5 goals with 3 assists. At 19 he was powerless to stop De Graafscahap's immediate return to the second tier of Dutch football. He was then transferred to Spezia in Italy's second division. He struggled for game time and only managed a full 90 on one occasion in the league. He did however score and assist in the Italian Cup second round. This was his only goal for the club and after 10 appearances in all competitions, he was loaned back to the Eredivisie and signed for Heracles Almelo. Having not featured in the first game he was eligible for, Delano then started 5 straight games, with Almelo only losing once. A 1-0 win at home to Ajax being the pick of the results. The world then stopped in March 2020, with the Dutch league being one of the major leagues to curtail their season. It was a huge shame for Burgzorg since he and the team had hit some form. The loan was then made permanent in the summer, but it took both Delano and Heracles Almelo time to get up to speed after the previous season's curtailment. He finished the season on 6 goals (in all competitions), with all of them coming in a 10-game run in the festive period. In 2021-22, he started the season off in red-hot form, 4 goals in his first 7, however he wouldn't score again for the club as he moved to Mainz in January on an initial loan that became permanent last summer for a €‎2 million fee.

His time as Mainz has been a struggle, a move more centrally and limited minutes has seen him make just 17 appearances, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist. It is not exactly prolific, but Burgzorg has only played 280 minutes in Germany. He has been extremely unlucky as well, he was affected by COVID a month after signing and was subsequently diagnosed with a heart inflammation called Myocarditis and missed the rest of the season. After a good pre-season, Burgzorg featured in 10 out of the first 13 games, however, an ankle injury kept him out for a month and he struggled to regain his place and only made 3 further appearances.

What Type Of Player Is He?

As alluded to before, Delano can play out wide on the left wing, and through the centre up front. A right-footed 6ft1 forward who has averaged 1 goal for every 4 completed 90s. He's a goalscorer rather than creator and he loves to carry the ball. Over his career, he averages 2.87 successful carries per 90, which is slightly better than Sorba Thomas (2.86) and Joseph Hungbo (2.7) averaged last season. Only Josh Koroma (3.06) and Brahima Diarra (3) averaged more per 90 last season.

Looking at his 2021-22 statistics at Heracles Almelo, there are some very interesting data points. He ranked in the 30th percentile or less for short, medium and long passes attempted, but in the 77th, 89th and 98th percentile for accuracy respectively. Clearly showing that although he didn't pass much, but when he did it was with great accuracy. Likewise when it came to shooting, he was an accurate shooter, he ranked in the 88th percentile for the number of shots on target, and also the 88th percentile for the percentage of shots on target. He's a skillful dribbler, who likes to take on a man and go for goal, which is something Town are crying out for. He ranked in the 98th percentile for 'goal creating actions from take ons' (0.31 per 90). In normal english, 1 in every 3 take ons he performed on a defender that then led to a shot resulted in a goal.

It indicates that Town is getting a highly technical player who is still raw. He just needs to receive some guidance, and there is no-one better than Neil Warnock to do so.

The Verdict.

At 24, he is certainly an interesting signing, he's been unfortunate with circumstances out of his control which has meant he has only played 120 professional games. There is a chance for him to turn his career around at Town, and I think the Championship is a great league to do this in. I look back to Town signing a 24-year-old Elias Kachunga in 2016 on loan from Ingolstadt. Someone who had the potential as a youngster having played in top flight German football, but lost their way slightly. There is no better manager out there for getting the best out of a player who is struggling than Neil Warnock.

One to keep an eye on for sure.