Erik ten Hag is very happy with the developments within the selection of Ajax. The trainer thinks that ‘beautiful things’ can arise in Amsterdam if it continues in this way. Ten Hag will use the period that is now approaching to further develop the team. “We will have the opportunity to work at Champions League level and compete with strong opponents, allowing us to improve again.”

“That is a good preparation for us for the month of January. But I am especially pleased with the way the selection is developing ”, Ten Hag emphasizes on the official channels of Ajax on Tuesday evening. “We are working with several people who all play a role and have been important. We have not always been on the field with the same players. Substitutes also make their contribution. If we can develop that further, we can achieve something great this year. We have to be aware of that. ”

Ten Hag is also pleased with the steps that Ryan Gravenberch, Lassina Traoré and the under fire Perr Schuurs are taking. “Ryan is developing partly on the basis of Davy Klaassen, Daley Blind and Dusan Tadic. For him it is becoming increasingly clear what top football means. That is less looking at yourself, but mainly putting yourself at the service of the team. He has a lot of capabilities. Especially in an attacking sense. When you are young, you mainly look at that. But he is also gaining a better understanding of ‘that other work’. ”

Ten Hag: ‘We can achieve something beautiful this year’

“So that is the game in the construction, playing dominantly, making the connection. But also in defense; being the first man in midfield to initiate the switch, who is going to win balls, who has interceptions. If you are in a first team, the youth has to get out, he has made great strides in that recently. ” Ten Hag is also pleased with the criticized Schuurs. “Given the trajectory he has taken, it is very logical that he now has to take a few more steps to be able to show himself at the very highest level. But that he has the potential, that is absolutely clear. ”

“He will learn from these competitions. In the Eredivisie you can see that he is growing and he will also take those steps in the Champions League. ” Traoré is making great progress in Ten Hag’s view. “Lassina brings a lot of physical power, is a point of contact, keeps defenders busy and we can continue playing about him. In the penalty area he is more and more present and he is doing his defensive tasks better and better. We are very satisfied with that. That he can become even more eager, that’s for sure, but he is also making great strides in that direction. ”

Talents like Brian Brobbey, Devyne Rensch and Kenneth Taylor have been getting a taste of the big work lately. “From day one in the preparation, they have been allowed to sniff around the first team. The clue is “now you are very close.” It should motivate them to take the last step. ”