The Eredivisie is well on its way. After thirteen rounds, PSV still has the full spoils. Feyenoord follows on seven points, while Ajax has entered the left row due to the 5-0 victory over Vitesse. What is the current position of the clubs in terms of selection and where should the largest repair work take place in the winter? Football zone went to The Hague and spoke with former striker and ESPNanalyst Ali Boussaboun.
By Mart Oude Nijeweeme
Boussaboun is a good acquaintance of Maurice Steijn. The former striker of Feyenoord and NAC Breda played with and under the dismissed Ajax coach and therefore sympathized when the Hagenees had to leave the field in Amsterdam. Yet Steijn’s departure did not come as a complete surprise to Boussaboun.
Watch the interview with Ali Boussaboun below:
“You saw that a number of players were not going all out,” said Boussaboun. “I know from my own experience that that is the least you can do when things are not going well. But you could see that a number of players did not do that. Berghuis, among others. Don’t switch, wave your hands. Come on, you have to put your hand in your own bosom.”
Boussaboun finds it difficult to assess whether Berghuis is a disruptor within the selection. “He is someone with a strong personality. I can imagine that he does not feel comfortable if things do not go his way. He always says what he thinks. That is positive, but at the end of the day you are a player. The trainer is the Boss, you have to accept that.”
Branco van den Boomen is one of the few purchases from Sven Mislintat who can appeal to Boussaboun. “He really adds something. Plays directly, opportunistically and likes to look for openings. I think he is a good player. An Ajax player. That does not mean that the rest are not Ajax players, but when you see what has gone … What they got in return isn’t half as good.”
According to Boussaboun, the biggest problem lies at the back. “Something really needs to be done at the back position. I don’t understand why they didn’t bring Tagliafico back earlier. Kenny Tete is also a good option. He is fast, strong and can play nice football. But I would rather go for a talent. That’s where Ajax stands. also known for. That’s the reason they’ve made hundreds of millions.”
Feyenoord
How different is the situation with the eternal rival from South Rotterdam. They are having great times at Feyenoord, with the European evenings in the Champions League as the icing on the cake. Looking at Ajax’s current selection, Boussaboun only sees a starting spot reserved for one Ajax player at this Feyenoord.
“I think Steven Bergwijn. Feyenoord could use reinforcement on the left wing. In midfield and at the back it is rock solid. That says a lot about Ajax, but certainly also about Feyenoord. A very big compliment to the scouting apparatus and the technical management there. What they have achieved in just a few years is fantastic.”
Boussaboun highlights Hancko as the face of current Feyenoord. “Together with Geertruida, I think he is the best defender in the Netherlands. It is not normal how stable he is. We are always inclined to look at how poorly Ajax is doing, but we can also emphasize Feyenoord. What they are achieving is extremely special. “
PSV
Next Sunday, Feyenoord will take on PSV in their own Kuip and the gap must be reduced to four points. Boussaboun is watching Peter Bosz’s team with great pleasure this season. “I think they have the best chance of winning the championship. They also score in bad matches. That is the biggest difference with Feyenoord, who, despite their dominance, sometimes have difficulty scoring.”
An important link in the midfield of the Eindhoven team is Jerdy Schouten. “He looks like a number 10 sometimes, when you see how he gets out of situations,” Boussaboun is praising. “Fantastic to see. Whether he is Frenkie de Jong’s ideal partner in the Dutch team? I think so. With Schouten you have someone who can also play football well under pressure and does not panic. That is an extra weapon. “
However, the heart of the defense remains an Achilles heel at PSV, according to Boussaboun. “I don’t think Ramalho is good enough to take the next step. He is at his ceiling. He can play good matches, but his vulnerability comes to the fore when he comes into one-on-one situations. He sometimes recognizes the ball not the danger. As a builder you have to choose the path of least risk. That’s where he falls short.”
It even leads to Boussaboun sometimes feeling sorry for the Brazilian. “You see the insecurity in him. I also played football myself, you wouldn’t wish that on anyone. He is a boy who always shows 100 percent commitment. But as an outsider you quickly come to the conclusion that this is his level. You cannot expect more. Fortunately, in Boscagli he has someone next to him who camouflages a lot.”