Rafael van der Vaart does not expect Edson Álvarez to be played from the starting line at Ajax by Davy Klaassen or Ryan Gravenberch. The former midfielder is very fond of the Mexican and calls him a player ‘who always plays’. Jan van Halst, who serves as a studio guest at Ziggo Sports in the run-up to the eighth final of the Champions League against Benfica, Álvarez would have sacrificed if Klaassen would be in good form.
Ten Hag opts for a midfield against Benfica with Álvarez, Steven Berghuis and Gravenberch. The latter returns to his old role, while Álvarez has to take care of control. “Gravenberch is restless in this position,” said Van der Vaart. “He plays so disciplined at number 6… He did that very well against Cambuur.” Álvarez was missing against Cambuur, leaving Gravenberch to play for the defence. He scored a goal and two assists against the Leeuwarders.
“Of course the footballing ability is good, but then you often have the criticism that Gravenberch lacks dueling power compared to Álvarez. But I think Álvarez has become less in that,” adds Van Halst. “That can happen once, but he missed the interventions for which he stands in the away game against Benfica. If he loses those kinds of duels, the added value of Álvarez is nil. Then I say: put Gravenberch there. I understand. that Ten Hag does not do that, but he must dare to surprise the opponent.”
According to Van Halst, it is due to Klaassen’s form that Álvarez is still preferred by Ten Hag. “I think it is up to Klaassen that he plays (Álvarez, ed.). If Gravenberch were to play at 6, you would have Berghuis and a very good Klaassen for that. But Klaassen is not in shape, Ten Hag is not satisfied with that. That is why he plays with Álvarez with the point back and Gravenberch in front of it. If Klaassen had been in shape, he would have removed Álvarez from the team.”
“If Klaassen gives an assist or scores a goal, Ten Hag has to make a choice”, Van der Vaart responds again. “Then Gravenberch would probably have passed. He always sets up Álvarez. We used to have that with Tomás Galásek, who was always drafted. It didn’t matter whether I or Wesley (Sneijder, ed.) got on the bench because of that. You need a player. It concerns Klaassen, who is completely out of form, so Ten Hag does not have to choose.”
Ten Hag emphasizes that the choice for his midfield is ‘natural’. “We have choices. Some things will develop. But for this match we are the best with this midfield. Álvarez is not necessarily the first on my list. You can name more that I put first on the list “The team that is there now, there are automatisms in it. You want to continue that. Guys like Klaassen or Tagliafico, who are sitting on the bench, could also start. I am convinced of that.”