Davy Klaassen is happy with his return to Ajax. The 27-year-old midfielder returned to Amsterdam last summer after a period of three years abroad and immediately fought his way into the base. Klaassen left as number ten, but is now mainly used by trainer Erik ten Hag as a controlling midfielder. “That works out well”, Klaassen says opposite Ajax TV.

Klaassen also played in a somewhat more defensive role in midfield at his previous club Werder Bremen. “The controlling position is one of the things in which I have become much better abroad, especially in Germany”, Klaassen continues. “I only think well that I can also play in that position, but I think, as you saw against Fortuna Sittard (5-2 win), that I can also still play at ten.” Klaassen scored two goals against the Limburgers, one from the rebound, after he had hit the post with the penalty kick.

At Ajax Klaassen usually forms the controlling block in midfield with Ryan Gravenberch. Klaassen supports his eighteen-year-old teammate where possible. “I do talk to him a lot and try to send him a lot in the field. When you are young, you are more focused on yourself. Then it is nice when other guys are busy with you and try to help you. I can’t teach him anymore, because he can. I think it’s important that you as a midfield coach each other. ” Klaassen thinks that he and Gravenberch complement each other well. “Although I think that coordination could be a bit better. It has to grow. We are working on that every day, we are working on it.”

Klaassen often hears that people have the feeling that he has never left Ajax. “I can imagine people saying that, but I feel like I have been away for a while. When you come back there are some things different again, but I feel good, I play well, so I don’t feel like I need a lot of adjustment. There are a lot of people at Ajax who already worked there then and are still there, but also many new ones. It feels like a kind of warm bath, like coming home. “