Erik ten Hag seizes the press conference in the run-up to the home game against Young Boys on Thursday evening to hand out compliments to two players from the Ajax selection. The coach of the only remaining Europa League participant is satisfied with the development of the rented Oussama Idrissi, while Ten Hag was also very impressed by the performance of Mohammed Kudus in the home game with FC Groningen (3-1) last Sunday. .
At the press meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Ten Hag is confronted by a journalist with the fact that Idrissi has to settle for a role as a reserve at Ajax for the time being. The Ajax coach nevertheless has words of encouragement for the attacker temporarily taken over from Sevilla. “It is one of our wingers, so when Dusan Tadic plays in the striker, there is more space on the wing. Idrissi has already played some games, the chance of playing time at Sevilla was very minimal. And here is the chance. I think he is doing great, especially in the minutes that he has already played. He makes an exceptionally good impression, also in practice. I am sure he will be ready should the team need him. I think that he is getting closer ”, Ten Hag tells Idrissi.
Ten Hag then discusses the possible play of Kudus against Young Boys, after a journalist asks him whether last year’s purchase can bring the same defensively to Daley Blind due to an injury during the summer. “No, it is a different type of player”, answers the choice lord of the Eredivisie leader. “That cannot be compared at all, those two types of players. But they can both be of value against such an opponent. But then in different roles”, emphasizes Ten Hag, who is happy with the contribution of Kudus after his injury injury. “He played very well against Groningen, just as we wanted to see. He would be a logical option for tomorrow.” Kudus acted as central midfielder at Ajax on Sunday, in a midfield with Davy Klaassen and Ryan Gravenberch.
Ajax has now been in contact with Peter Bosz about Young Boys and their way of playing, who was eliminated by the Swiss team with Bayer Leverkusen in the second round of the Europa League. “I didn’t have to call him (Bosz, ed.), You as media have already done that,” says Ten Hag with a joke. “I’ve seen both Bayer Leverkusen matches against Young Boys. Our team of analysts has also been in touch with Peter. Of course you do. I think we have the information from Peter and Hendrie (Krüzen, assistant coach Leverkusen, ed.) Very well. “, concludes the coach of Ajax, who also clarified the situation regarding the suspended André Onana. “He trains individually, which must also be according to the regulations. He does not train at De Toekomst, but in his own environment.”