Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 8:28 PM• Jordi Tomasowa

John van ‘t Schip is positive about Kenneth Taylor. The twenty-year-old midfielder showed himself with a few goals during Ajax’s preparation, which Van ‘t Schip also noticed. “I think he has shown that he can play in the team like that,” said the currently clubless coach.

“I do think he can break through,” says Van ‘t Schip as an analyst at Ziggo Sports before the start of the benefit match between Ajax and Shakhtar Donetsk. “He showed it at the end of last season and also during the preparation. He is a boy with great qualities. He is very strong with both his left foot and right foot. He has depth, can give an assist and score a goal. He is a very talented midfielder.”

Taylor takes over number 8 from Ryan Gravenberch this season, who left for Bayern Munich, with which Ajax expresses confidence in its youth product. However, during the practice match with Shakhtar, Schreuder did not make room for the talent on Tuesday evening. “Today Schreuder already has something in mind, he will be part of that yellow card, but I think Taylor has shown that he can play in the team like that,” said Van ‘t Schip.

Taylor has been playing in Ajax’s academy since 2010. The international of the Netherlands Under 21 made his debut in the first team on December 12, 2020 during the Ajax – PEC Zwolle (4-0 win). So far, the midfielder has made twenty-two matches for Ajax 1, in which he was accurate twice. Last season he was allowed to smell more and more minutes in Ajax 1. Erik ten Hag initially wanted to rent him out during the winter break, but Taylor chose to fight for his chance. Towards the end of the season his name appeared more and more on the scoresheet and he had a few starting spots in a row.