Marco van Basten doubts whether Ajax is doing well to have brought in Branco van den Boomen. During the broadcast of Rondo says the analyst that he does not have full confidence in the assessment criteria used by director of football affairs Sven Mislintat, who brought the 27-year-old midfielder to the Johan Cruijff ArenA, partly because of his ‘excellent data’, until mid-2027.
Ronald de Boer knows Van den Boomen, who talks to the table gentlemen of the program via a video connection, from his period in Ajax’s youth. “We all knew that you were a great player in terms of technique, but of course there were also question marks: the speed of action and your running ability. I don’t see you playing every day now, but it’s fantastic what you showed at Toulouse. Have those aspects seriously improved? Did you work really hard on that?” asks De Boer.
Van den Boomen is sure that he has made great strides at Toulouse. “Especially when I first arrived in France, the lack of running ability was clearly visible and I couldn’t get away with it. I think I’ve improved a lot and my strengths are coming into their own now. I also hope to show it to the Dutch fans,” said Van den Boomen, who was therefore in the spotlight of Mislintat, partly due to his striking data.
Van Basten openly expresses doubts about attracting Mislintat. “A data football player, a money ball player… What do I think of that? I think it is a very dangerous road that Ajax is taking. I think you really have to have a good look at those kinds of players and you shouldn’t just pay attention to numbers. I find it strange and dangerous. He was in the youth at FC Eindhoven and De Graafschap. That says it is not a great talent. Of course you can become better and stronger in your career. Although he does come across as fresh, I wonder if he can handle the level of Ajax. I have my doubts about it”, concludes the somewhat hesitant Van Basten.