Arnold Bruggink enjoys the way Noussair Mazraoui is currently playing. ‘s analyst ESPN already praised the right back of the team from Amsterdam in the half-time of the match between sc Heerenveen and Ajax (0-2), who stands out with his versatility. “The way Mazraoui is playing at the moment is really fantastic,” said Bruggink.
Mazraoui has this season in the Eredivisie good for no less than four goals and two assists in nine games. “He cannot be defended, because he walks everywhere”, Bruggink sees. “Then he runs deep as a striker, then he is an extra midfielder, then he is just right back. I think: that variation with which he plays, no opponent can handle that at the moment.”
Mazraoui’s contract expires after this season and for the time being there is no prospect of an agreement with Ajax about an extension. However, Bruggink would certainly not consider putting pressure on Mazraoui with that. “I would make a lot of use of him at the moment, how he plays now,” said the former midfielder. “But of course it is interesting, because I can imagine that Ajax would rather extend his contract to sell him at some point.”
In addition to Mazraoui, teammate Daley Blind also received compliments in the studio of ESPN by Mario Ben. “You see a team that has returned from all over the world,” said Been. “They miss guys from South America and then you notice that the automatisms are not there. But I did enjoy the moments when Blind comes to the ball. He has the ability to immediately put people to work. That is important in this match, because it was so busy in the sixteen. Then you need the inventiveness of certain players such as Blind, who see the game just a little faster than others.”