Nicolás Tagliafico has to miss the start of a new Eredivisie season due to a suspension. The defender of Ajax took a red card in the match against PSV for the Johan Cruijff Scale and thus he is already serving his eighth suspension in Amsterdam service against NEC and FC Twente. 42 cards preceded this, with red against PSV as the low point. Jan van Halst, no sweetheart in his active career, states that Tagliafico probably suffers from ‘an exaggerated urge to prove’.
“I know that feeling. You want to lead the fight. All the way in top duels. I had that very badly at the beginning of my career,” Van Halst admits on Wednesday in conversation with the General Newspaper. “You are already stirring each other up in the catacombs. “Come on, we’ll get them.” Only then I literally translated that to the field.” No Eredivisie player has picked up more cards than Tagliafico’s debut for Ajax in January 2018. He received half of his cards in a European context, against title competitors and sub-toppers.
Van Halst believes that Ajax should lend a helping hand. “Ajax has to work with him. Fierce and temperamental, okay, but those stupid tackles have to go. Certainly at the level where Ajax is now acting.” Van Halst was ashamed of his behavior at one point and assures that tackles are not necessary to lead the fight. “I noticed when I stopped doing it, that I also stayed upright without it.”
Van Halst points out that Tagliafico now has a name and stamp with referees and opponents. “They make good use of that by screaming murder and fire.” The Argentine international was expected to make a transfer this summer, but concrete interest has not yet been forthcoming. Van Halst sees a connection. “Clubs still look at data. Then, if they have another candidate who doesn’t pick up many cards, they’ll go for him. Except maybe trainer Diego Simeone then”, he concludes with a wink.
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