In preparation for the new season, Naci Ünüvar is going full for his chances at Ajax 1. The nineteen-year-old attacking midfielder hopes to benefit from the coach change that took place in Amsterdam. Ünüvar excelled almost weekly at Jong Ajax last season, but did not get a single chance in the first team from Erik ten Hag. “That gnawed at me,” Ünüvar admits to the General Newspaper†
It has been almost three years since Ünüvar became the third youngest debutant ever in the shirt of Ajax. The Johan Cruijff ArenA was preparing for the final breakthrough of the next self-trained top talent, but the fans only saw Ünüvar in action in two official Ajax 1 matches in the 929 days that followed. The technician, who is only 1.68 meters tall, said he had great difficulty making the transition from youth football to the much more physical professional world.
Ünüvar was given the time by Ajax to mature in the Kitchen Champion Division and made grateful use of it. The number 10 turned out to be one of the stars of the competition last football year. With 16 goals and 12 assists, he contributed to no fewer than 28 goals for Jong Ajax, a club record. “Everything worked out again”, the the Dutch youth international looks back on his season. Ünüvar himself had the feeling that he was close to a return to the first, but Ten Hag invariably ignored him.
“Based on my statistics, I was the best player at Jong Ajax, but it was not allowed that I was once in the first selection,” said the right leg. “I had hoped for more opportunities, yes. I also talked a lot about it with the people around me. As a result, I was able to deal with it better and better and I found peace in my head. And that’s why I continued to perform weekly at Jong Ajax.”
Now that Alfred Schreuder has taken the place of Ten Hag, the youngster still hopes for a breakthrough in the first. “I’m super fit. Why? I can now prove myself at the first. I want to keep going. I have to grab the opportunities I get with both hands. You can’t do that if you’re not top fit. I’ve done everything I can.” On Tuesday, Ünüvar immediately asserted himself in the first exhibition game of the season. Against SV Meppen, he delivered the assist for Sontje Hansen’s 3-0 with a nice heel. Last week it was announced that Ünüvar will extend his contract for three seasons in July until mid-2026.