Devyne Rensch is going through a stormy development. The eighteen-year-old defender made his debut in Ajax’s main squad less than a year ago and can also call himself an the Dutch international. His baptism of fire in the World Cup qualifier against Turkey (6-1) he graced on Wednesday with an assist on Donyell Malen, who accounted for the sixth the Dutch goal. According to Peter van der Horst, Rensch is only at ‘sixty percent of his ability’.
Van der Horst trained Rensch for years at amateur club VV Unicum and foresees a bright future for the brand new the Dutch international, who has played 31 matches for Ajax. “I understand that people wonder if things are not going too fast. I don’t think so. In fact, I believe that he is only at sixty percent of his potential. There is still so much potential in it,” the former football player assures the Stentor.
Barcelona is the club Rensch dreams of. “Every kid has that dream. The difference with Devyne is: for him it might be feasible. Now Sergiño Dest plays there. But let’s be honest: Devyne doesn’t have to compromise on that. I think he is already a step further,” assures Van der Horst.
Rensch almost had to stop playing football six years ago because of growing pains in his heel. A physical therapist applied shock therapy that improved blood flow in his right leg and helped the teen fight back. He did that so well that, then as an attacker, he played for Jeugdplan Nederland in no time. “Devyne, an exceptional talent, immediately noticed that,” continues Van der Horst in the regional newspaper. “Not just in football. Also because of his motor skills and way of walking. Just an antelope. I don’t compare him with Frank Rijkaard for nothing.”
He was also smart, calm and incredibly fast. And he has good technique and is two-legged.” Rensch had to choose the clubs and also did an internship at PSV. That was not an unqualified success. “They didn’t think he was good enough for a place in the youth academy.” He got a chance in the youth at Ajax in 2016 and four years later received the Abdelhak Nouri trophy, as the greatest Ajax talent of the year.