Ryan Gravenberch was one of the stars at Ajax on Sunday evening in the cup final won against Vitesse (2-1). The midfielder opened the score with a cannonball in the top left corner and also made a good impression for the remainder of the game. “Yes, that goal gave me a boost”, Gravenberch agrees with a smile in front of the camera of ESPN. “He was good at it eh. I can hammering. “
His performance came at a good time for Gravenberch. Ajax’s youth exponent was criticized by supporters, media and analysts after his disappointing game against AS Roma (1-1). He acknowledges that he played ‘of course not well’ in both duels with Roma. “That number 42 (Amadou Diawara, ed.) Was constantly with me, he went with me everywhere. I have to find a solution for that, but that will be fine.” If it were up to Gravenberch, he will play even more European matches for Ajax in the future. “I really want to stay at Ajax. I have to develop myself even more. When I am ready, then I am ready, but not yet.”
In the studio of ESPN Gravenberch’s performance is praised. Kenneth Perez calls the youth an “incredible talent.” “He is perhaps the greatest talent on the Dutch fields. He is eighteen years old and already has such an impact.” It is all the better because Gravenberch has already played forty duels this season. “Go ahead and play a whole season,” said Perez. Co-analyst Henk Fraser agrees with the words of the Dane.
“What I like is the athletic ability, but he is also excellent on the ball. A complete player, I think. If you can do this at this age, not only in the league and in the cup, but also in Europe. .. “, says Fraser in conclusion. Perez is enjoying Gravenberch’s breakthrough for the time being. “He is super nice in every interview. The way he looks, so relaxed. He has little to say and is not tough either. He is pure.”
Erik ten Hag is positive about Gravenberch’s performance. “He performed well what I asked of him: to play more attacking”, the trainer analyzes. “Certainly against Vitesse you also have to play higher and you have to bring more people around Haller. Because they come forward quite quickly and they want to put us under pressure.” The fact that Vitesse did not always succeed in this, had to do with Gravenberch, according to Ten Hag. “He was often our free man because I positioned him high on the field.”