Bert van Marwijk thinks it is more than right that Kenneth Taylor is currently preferred in the midfield of Ajax. The former national coach is pleased with the development of the youth product and also has praise from Alfred Schreuder, who dares to leave such players. “I think it’s special that Schreuder can even decide to play with ten Dutch people,” says Van Marwijk in The Telegraph.
According to Van Marwijk, it is a blessing that so many Dutchmen can show themselves at Ajax on the highest European stage. “The fact that they are on the training field together every day is definitely an advantage, especially with the short preparation time for the World Cup, a blessing for the the Dutch,” said the man who finished second with the the Dutch at the World Cup in 2010. Van Marwijk is referring to Remko Pasveer, Devyne Rensch, Jurriën Timber, Daley Blind, Steven Berghuis, Kenneth Taylor and Steven Bergwijn, who all kicked off against Rangers.
It is expected that the seven will also get the chance from Schreuder in the away game against Liverpool. For Berghuis this means his return, after he was kept on the bench for Davy Klaassen against sc Heerenveen. The left leg probably forms a midfield with Edson Álvarez and Taylor. “Ajax and – with a view to the World Cup – Louis van Gaal can still be grateful to Johan Cruijff”, Van Marwijk continues. “The youth academy has withstood all the storms in top football. At one point we had to learn from the Germans and later from the Italians.”
Van Marwijk thinks it is only right that Taylor has secured his place in the midfield of Ajax. The midfielder is part of the pre-selection of the Dutch national team and, according to the former national coach, has a good chance of making it through to the final selection. “I think that’s nice and rightly so, because Kenneth is a very functional player, which many coaches would be happy with,” said Van Marwijk. “I am really curious how he is doing in Liverpool, as I am actually curious about the whole of Ajax. This will be a wonderful test, also with a view to the World Cup.”