Fortuna Sittard midfielder Mohamed Ihattaren still lacks the optimal physical condition required for the Eredivisie, head coach Danny Buijs revealed, despite the 24-year-old playmaker featuring in all eight league matches for the Limburg club this season.

The current Eredivisie campaign is past its opening two months, yet questions surrounding the player’s physical ceiling and long-term trajectory continue to surface. Speaking in the podcast Stopper en Spits, Buijs addressed the ongoing development of his creative midfielder, noting that conditioning remains an area for improvement. “He still needs to get a bit fitter,” Buijs stated.

Buijs pointed to an ankle injury sustained on March 14 during an away fixture against FC Volendam as a significant turning point in the player’s recent career path. Although the injury sidelined the midfielder for only two matches at the time, the coach described the setback as a heavy psychological blow. According to Buijs, the disruption stalled momentum just as the player anticipated a strong finish to the season.

Fortuna Sittard signed Ihattaren ahead of the previous campaign, during which he accumulated 30 appearances across all competitions, contributing six goals and 11 assists. This season, he has recorded three goals and three assists over his first eight Eredivisie appearances, alongside a total of 38 matches, nine goals, and 14 assists during his tenure with the club, as reported by VoetbalPrimeur.

Defensive Progress and Mental Hurdles in Limburg

Despite lingering fitness concerns, Buijs highlighted the visible steps Ihattaren is taking to adapt his game for the team. The coach noted that the player is making clear defensive improvements to support his teammates on the pitch.

The mental recovery from injury remains a common hurdle for professional athletes who face multi-week absences near the end of a competitive schedule, Buijs explained. However, the technical staff remains encouraged by the midfielder’s daily application in training.

Observers across Dutch football continue to debate the player’s long-term ceiling. Speaking on Rondje Eredivisie by Voetbal International, analyst Marco Timmer described the midfielder’s left-foot ability as possessing Ziyech-achtige vibes (Twentefans.nl). At the same time, club watchers noted that consistency and daily physical management remain vital for him to reach the next level.

Transfer Ambitions and the Search for a Foreign Step

Buijs expressed confidence that Ihattaren will eventually make a significant career move if he maintains his current trajectory. However, the Fortuna Sittard manager suggested that a transfer abroad represents the most logical path forward.

If he stays fit and continues like this, a club will simply come along, Buijs said. He must focus on foreign leagues. I think in the Netherlands he carries too much of a label. It is difficult to get away from that.

During the recent summer transfer window, the player was eager to secure a transfer, but concrete offers failed to materialize. Clubs reportedly retained doubts regarding his consistency and physical readiness, according to analysis from Twente Insite.

For now, Ihattaren remains focused on recovering from minor physical issues and reestablishing his rhythm under Buijs, whose direct management style has helped integrate the playmaker into the Fortuna Sittard setup.