Maher earns Cesc comparison

AZ Alkmaar starlet Adam Maher has similar qualities to Barcelona ace Cesc Fabregas, according to assistant coach Martin Haar.

Teenager thought to be on Barcelona's radar

AZ Alkmaar starlet Adam Maher has similar qualities to Barcelona ace Cesc Fabregas, according to assistant coach Martin Haar. Reports in the Dutch media suggest Barca are monitoring the midfielder, with a scout from the Spanish giants expected to watch the 18-year-old in action against ADO Den Haag on Sunday. Haar believes Maher, who is enjoying a breakthrough campaign with Eredivisie leaders Alkmaar after displacing Maarten Martens as a first-team regular, has talent to rival that of Barca midfielder Fabregas. And the assistant boss is confident the Dutch youngster is a strong enough character to deal with the attention that will inevitably accompany Barcelona's reported interest.

Creativity

"I am not afraid, he's sensible enough," Haar told Voetbal Primeur. "In terms of creativity, he looks very similar to Martens, the player he replaced. It makes me think of Fabregas." Haar has backed Maher to earn a call-up to the junior Netherlands squad as he continues to progress at AZ. "The Dutch team currently plays at a very, very high level," he added. "The next phase will be a call-up to the junior national side. That's a step forward. "