Thomas Letsch is very enthusiastic about the development that Danilho Doekhi is going through at Vitesse. The German trainer thinks that the only 22-year-old man is already ready for the step towards a top competition in Europe. Letsch therefore does not consider it necessary for Doekhi to first make an intermediate step to one of the top clubs in the Eredivisie. The young defender has already gained experience in the absolute top at Ajax, although there was no breakthrough in Amsterdam.
“I am totally convinced of this defender and of his qualities. He plays one amazing season in a crucial position “, Letsch pays a great compliment to Doekhi in an extensive interview with Football International. “And no yellow cards. I think that if he can go to a big club, that must be the big step. In my view it makes no sense to go to Feyenoord, that is not a step up for him. I think about that. Germany or England. But I would prefer to keep him here, that goes without saying. We are also ambitious, we want to go into Europe just like him “, the Vitesse coach refers to the approaching cup final against Ajax and fourth place in the Eredivisie.
Doekhi also knows that Vitesse will not be his final destination. There is a chance that he will already change clubs this summer, despite an ongoing contract until mid-2022. “I want to move up, but it depends very much on which club it is, which trainer is there, what they want”, the Vitesse defender continues to look critically at his options. “Maybe I can take that step together with Vitesse, this is an ambitious club. I know what I have here. A trainer who has faith in me, hopefully European football, a nice group in which you are appreciated … Then you go do consider what you give up “, Doekhi concludes.
Not so long ago, the Vitesse stopper entered a completely different situation. In 2016, Doekhi signed a three-year contract with Ajax, where he had to deal with his uncle Winston Bogarde in the A1. “That was special. We even became champions with Dani de Wit, Justin Kluivert, those guys”, the defender looks back. However, the step to Ajax’s main force turned out to be too big. “Matthijs de Ligt was there, the final of the Europa League had been reached and the level of the first selection was greatly increased. I was not disappointed, not necessarily. It is just very difficult to get into the first team of Ajax”, that is the realistic conclusion of Doekhi.
“That is not due to Ajax, not at all. The youth got a lot of opportunities, but there is also a lot of youth. Really good players”, the former Ajax player clarifies. “When I had to make the move, it didn’t get any easier because they were just going to get big players like Daley Blind. Yeah, then you know you’re going to have a really hard time. Maybe you can join it, but then again, how many Are you going to play? Ambitions are great, but realism is also important “, said Doekhi, with Vitesse in preparation for the home game with ADO Den Haag on Friday evening.