Karim El Ahmadi has been impressed by Lutsharel Geertruida’s influence at PSV, highlighting the defender’s technical quality and positional intelligence after the Eindhoven side returned to the top of the Eredivisie.

Peter Bosz’s team secured a convincing 5-2 victory over SC Cambuur last weekend, taking full advantage of dropped points by their title rivals. Feyenoord suffered a 5-3 defeat against Heerenveen after initially leading 2-0, while Ajax were held to a 2-2 draw by FC Twente.

PSV made no mistake in Leeuwarden, racing into a 3-0 lead inside the opening 19 minutes before eventually completing the victory. Their performance caught the attention of ESPN analyst El Ahmadi, who was particularly impressed by Geertruida.

Speaking on ESPN's Dit Was Het Weekend, the former midfielder suggested that the result involving Feyenoord may also have provided PSV with an additional motivation.

“I enjoyed PSV. A bit the same match as when against Feyenoord, from minute one. I think that also has something to do with the fact that they had just heard: Feyenoord has lost. So that can also play a part a little,” El Ahmadi said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

The analyst reserved his strongest praise for Geertruida, whose contribution in possession has added another dimension to PSV's midfield and build-up play.

El Ahmadi was particularly impressed by the ease with which the former Feyenoord player has adapted to his role, pointing to his movement, composure and ability to help PSV maintain control of possession.

“At the ball, it is almost as if he is playing in that position while laughing. It’s great how he fills the role and how nicely it works for PSV to be able to keep playing through the whole time. He really played well,” he explained.

The former midfielder also suggested that Geertruida offers something PSV lacked last season: a player capable of making a decisive difference in that particular position, especially when the team has possession.

“This is what they missed last season: a player who truly makes the difference in that position, especially on the ball,” El Ahmadi added.

Geertruida's ability to move into advanced areas while retaining his defensive responsibilities has given Bosz another option in the way PSV build their attacks. El Ahmadi even compared some of his movements to those of an attacking midfielder.

El Ahmadi also highlighted the difficulty opponents face when trying to contain PSV's midfield options. While Geertruida can attract attention and influence proceedings in possession, Bosz has other players capable of exploiting the space.

“You can cover him, but then you still have Kodai Sano, Sven Mijnans, Guus Til. Geertruida moves as if he is a number ten,” he concluded.

The analyst nevertheless stressed that PSV must maintain their current standards if they are to remain at the top of the Eredivisie.

“It will really be up to them if they start losing matches. If they can put this on the mat every week,” he said.

PSV have reclaimed first place, but the challenge now is consistency. For El Ahmadi, Geertruida's performances have offered an encouraging indication of how much the midfielder-defender can contribute to Bosz's system.