AZ Alkmaar striker Jozy Altidore is well aware that scoring 11 goals in all competitions so far this season may not be looked on as kindly by Dutch league outsiders.
The American forward has been in stellar form so far this term but many could believe that scoring goals in Holland is not quite as impressive as in other leagues around Europe.
But Altidore has defended his impressive early record, suggesting that the Dutch league was a launching pad for some massive names in football including former PSV stars Ronaldo and Romario, ex-Ajax goal machines Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and American midfielder Michael Bradley who rose to prominence with Heerenveen.
"You look at the top players who've come through when they were younger, and they dwell on being here," Altidore told sportsillustrated.cnn.com.
"I won't compare myself talent-wise, but look at Ronaldo, Romario, (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic, (Klaas-Jan) Huntelaar. It's been a platform for guys to come through and get the confidence they need. Look at Michael Bradley. It says a lot about the league."
