The Dutch midfielder is one of Europe’s hottest prospects, after Erik ten Hag made him Ajax’s youngest ever debutant
Arthur Renard
INTERVIEW
You’ve been at Ajax since joining the youth academy in 2010 – what are your early memories?
Great times. We had a talented team, with a lot of players who have reached a high level - that under-eights team consisted of players like Brian Brobbey [back on loan at Ajax from RB Leipzig this season], Ki-Jana Hoever [Wolves], Kenneth Taylor [Ajax], Jayden Braaf [Manchester City], Donny Warmerdam [Jong Ajax], Jordi Blom [Volendam], Djenahro Nunumete [Heerenveen] and Nouri Cheung [Vitesse]. As a group we were really close – our parents would accompany us to the games and also tournaments abroad. I’m just thinking of one we played in the Czech Republic, which we won. Very fond memories.
You were regarded as one of the big talents in the Ajax academy. How did that feel at the time?
It’s very nice when people see you as a talented player – that didn’t give me any pressure, I was just enjoying my football and not thinking too far ahead. The moment I realised I had a chance to make it professionally came when I moved from the U15s to the U17s – I jumped up not one, but two teams. Few youngsters get to experience that.
Did you have offers from other clubs?
When I was 15, Paris Saint-Germain were keen on signing me. RB Leipzig also wanted me, and there were other teams who displayed a bit of interest. But I wasn’t seriously considering it – I wanted to break through at Ajax and stay there for several years, then make a potential move abroad.
How did you eventually progress to Ajax’s first team?
When I was 15 I played in the U18s, and at the end of that season I was invited for a training session with the first team. Justin Kluivert was there, who I knew from the academy, and he made me feel at ease. Hakim Ziyech did too. That session went well – it was a high level, but I showed that I could compete. After that, I signed my first professional deal and joined the first team on a pre-season training camp.
How did you feel?
I was quite rushed. I hadn’t played any games in the reserves, but I wanted to feature for the first team and was sure I was ready for it. But when I spoke to the manager, Erik ten Hag, he told me I had to improve in a number of areas, and that I wasn’t 100 per cent ready. In the academy we usually played with one defensive midfielder, whereas Ten Hag used a No.10 and two players in a No.6 six role just behind – so I had to get used to that setup. The attacking side of my game went down well, but I had to improve
