Erik ten Hag stands up for Sébastien Haller. The Ajax striker scored eight times in fourteen matches in the Eredivisie this season, but is not immune from criticism. A reporter from the NOS stated on Thursday evening after the draw between Ajax and FC Utrecht (1-1), Haller’s old club, that the winter acquisition is ‘not in shape’. Ten Hag disagrees with that comment.
The Ajax coach awarded Haller a starting spot against Utrecht. The record buy was with a header in the first half close to a goal, but goalkeeper Eric Oelschlägel tapped the ball over the bar. The reporter asked about Haller’s starting position and also about Klaassen’s reserve role. “You know in advance that if you put Davy Klaassen on the bench, Mohammed Kudus is less. Brian Brobbey is also in shape and Sébastien Haller is not. Are those mistakes made by a coach?”
“Haller not in shape, sorry?” Countered Ten Hag. He then mentioned the statistics that Haller can submit for Ajax after eighteen official matches. “Ten goals, six assists (seven, ed.), Then you’ll be in shape, I think. On Sunday he gave the assist to the winning one”, Ten Hag referred to David Neres’ goal in the cup final won against Vitesse. “It is a top striker. I have yet to see a striker at Ajax, also in history, who can provide these statistics.”
A player on whom Ten Hag is critical afterwards is Kudus. The midfielder was preferred over Klaassen, but was replaced early in the second half. “It was a bit awkward at the ball. Sometimes he made good choices, but sometimes completely wrong choices. Then he shoots, while he should have played on Neres,” said Ten Hag. “It is a great talent, but you also have to earn it to play. He also shows it in practice, but he has to learn not to be too forced. He can just play great football. We have all seen that. . “