Davy Klaassen did not leave a good impression on the analysts of ESPN. The midfielder received a base place at Ajax for the first time since the duel with Vitesse on August 29, which was too strong for sc Heerenveen with 0-2. Mario Been concluded after the Eredivisie game that Klaassen ‘needs time to grow back into the team’.
Klaassen, who recovered from a groin injury, formed a midfield with Mohamed Kudus and Ryan Gravenberch, while Steven Berghuis was posted on the right winger position. The latter was taken to the side after more than an hour of play in favor of David Neres, and analyst Arnold Bruggink wonders aloud whether that says anything about the probable position of the team from Amsterdam in the Champions League match with Borussia Dortmund next Tuesday.
“I don’t know, but now it’s really going to be a puzzle”, Been responds to Bruggink’s fantasies. “Now he (Ten Hag, ed.) really has to make choices. It is remarkable that Berghuis was taken out, because I didn’t think Klaassen played great either. It may be that Ten Hag once wanted to see him for a whole match. Whether this was Klaassen’s least happy match at Ajax so far? Yes, because I didn’t like him on the ball. Normally it is his quality ‘to get there’… He needs some time to grow in this team again”, comments Been.
Klaassen himself said after the victory over the Frisians that he looks back on the performance of his team with a good feeling, although he also looks critically at his own game. “It was good to be back in number ten. It’s always nice to play in any position. Am I satisfied with my own game? Well, I’m never really satisfied, but we won. That’s what it’s all about in the end,” said Klaassen, who, when asked, indicates that he is not yet sure of a base spot against Dortmund. “The coach will have to make choices. I hope I knocked on the door today and be in it on Tuesday.”