Rafael van der Vaart praises Erik ten Hag’s decision to rotate. The elector has decided to change Ajax in six positions for the Champions League match with Besiktas. For example, André Onana is preferred under the bar over Remko Pasveer, and David Neres can show himself on the right winger position at the expense of Antony. Perr Schuurs, Nicolás Tagliafico and Mohamed Daramy can also count on a basic place.
“I like to see other players at work”, Van der Vaart starts with Ziggo Sports. “Everyone always has a lot of criticism of Schuurs, and I have that too. But he has really developed very well. Of course he has made a mistake against Firmino, but what are we talking about? I think he’s a really good defender and especially to have someone behind him, he’s really great. I am also curious about Tagliafico. He was of course played from the base by Blind, but actually I think Tagliafico is much better as a pure left back.”
When Neres is mentioned, Van der Vaart expresses mixed feelings. “Funnily enough, he has always done well in the Champions League. He was always great. In the competition, I thought he was unstable, but in Europe he was really top. You can compare him with Antony, although of course I think Antony is a bit better. He has a little more explosiveness, confidence, power. With Neres I occasionally still have the feeling that he is a youth player, and with Antony I have that less.”
“Or it seems that Neres already has one foot outside of Ajax? Yes,” the analyst continues. “But Ajax also thought that, because otherwise you wouldn’t make it to Antony and Berghuis. So the idea was there that he would leave. I think this is just his last season and then Neres has done a fantastic job at Ajax in the end. He will go happily to hopefully a nice club. Now is the time to show it.”
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