Tjaronn Chery backs Dusan Tadic to rediscover his best form at NEC
NEC captain Tjaronn Chery believes Dusan Tadic can soon become a major influence for the Nijmegen club, despite the former Ajax star making a modest start to his return to Dutch football. Speaking ahead of NEC’s Europa League fixture against Levski, Chery said Tadic’s ability is clear and expects the Serbian forward to help raise the team’s level once he settles into his new surroundings.
Tadic has recorded three assists in 12 appearances for Dick Schreuder’s side but has yet to score. Those numbers are a quieter return than many supporters might have anticipated from a player whose performances for Ajax made him one of the Eredivisie’s most productive and influential attackers. Still, Chery’s message was one of patience: he sees signs of quality and believes the goals and greater impact will follow.
Chery understands Tadic’s frustration
Tadic recently spoke candidly to NU.nl about the challenges of adapting to his new team. He described making forward runs without receiving the ball and sometimes failing to get possession back after combining with teammates. The experience, he explained, can be difficult because he feels his thoughts and decisions move faster than the play around him.
“I regularly make preparatory runs and don’t get the ball,” Tadic said. “Or I don’t get it back after a few touches. Apparently, my brain works too quickly. I find it difficult; I’m often battling with myself, and then my mind is in turmoil.”
The comments prompted discussion about communication and understanding on the pitch, but Chery said he did not interpret them as an attack on his teammates. Tadic later told ESPN that his words were intended constructively, and NEC’s captain said he trusted the forward’s intentions.
“I know Dusan as a footballer and as a person,” Chery said. “He’s no different from me. He came to NEC to raise the level. It’s no different for me and other players in the team. Ultimately, I understand what he means.”
That perspective matters in a team sport where attacking movements depend on timing, shared expectations and quick decisions. A forward can make the right run, but if a passer does not spot it—or chooses another option—the opportunity disappears. For a new arrival still learning his teammates’ habits, building those connections can take time, even when both sides have strong technical ability.
Why NEC still expects more from the former Ajax captain
Chery has not suggested that Tadic has already reached the standard he showed during his most successful years at Ajax. Instead, he acknowledged that the Serbian is still working toward that level while pointing to the qualities that remain evident in training and matches.
“Of course, you can see he has a lot of quality,” Chery said. “He’s exceptionally strong on the ball and often finds the right solution. He’s not yet the Dusan Tadic we know from Ajax, but that will come soon. Then he’ll be important for the team and lift us to a higher level.”
Tadic’s Ajax reputation was built on more than goals and assists. He was a creative focal point, capable of linking midfield and attack, finding space between defenders and making decisive passes in crowded areas. That experience could prove valuable for NEC, particularly in matches where opponents defend deep and the hosts need patience and invention to create clear chances.
For supporters following the club’s Europa League campaign, Tadic’s adaptation is therefore a storyline worth watching. His contribution may not be measured only by whether he scores in the next match. The quality of his final pass, his ability to draw defenders out of position and the understanding he develops with NEC’s other attackers could all shape the team’s attacking threat.
Chery says his own role has remained familiar
The arrival of a high-profile player can sometimes lead to changes in a captain’s position or responsibilities. Chery, however, said Tadic’s presence has not significantly altered how he plays. He remains in the same role he occupied last season, operating behind the striker and working with different teammates around him.
“No, in the end I’m still playing the way I played last year. In the same position,” Chery explained. He noted that Noé Lebreton, Bryan Linssen and other players had also featured alongside him in those attacking areas, underlining that NEC has already used several combinations in support of its central forward.
Rather than viewing that competition as a problem, Chery considers depth a positive. “I think it’s only a good thing that we have a lot of options in a lot of positions,” he said. “If you play with good players in a position like that, it can only be good.”
That flexibility could be important over a demanding schedule that includes domestic football and European competition. Rotating players can help manage fatigue, while different combinations give Schreuder tactical options against opponents with contrasting styles. It also gives Tadic time to build chemistry without placing the entire creative burden on him from the outset.
What to watch in NEC’s next fixtures
NEC’s upcoming matches offer an opportunity to see whether Tadic’s understanding with Chery and the rest of the attack is beginning to improve. The key signs may be subtle: more well-timed runs being found, quicker combinations around the penalty area and a greater number of chances created from open play.
Any football prediction about Tadic’s immediate impact should account for both his impressive track record and his current adaptation period. Three assists in 12 appearances show that he has already contributed, but the lack of a goal means expectations remain high. If NEC can connect more consistently with his movement, his influence could grow quickly.
Chery’s confidence reflects the belief inside the squad that Tadic’s experience and technical quality can benefit the whole team. For now, the challenge is turning that potential into consistent end product. If the attacking partnerships develop as the captain expects, NEC may gain a more productive creator—and a player capable of helping the club compete at a higher level in both the Eredivisie and Europe.
