Marciano Vink is not charmed by Ryan Gravenberch’s new role at Ajax. The midfielder has been positioned slightly higher on the field in recent weeks, while previously he acted as the first point of contact in the build-up just before the defense. According to Vink, it should never happen that the starting position of Gravenberch is under discussion, given his ‘talents and qualities’, the analyst emphasizes at Good morning Eredivisie.
Gravenberch had a different role against Go Ahead Eagles (0-0), among other things, where he was higher on the field. “I don’t think it’s a solution that Ryan Gravenberch plays so high”, Vink refers to the role of the Ajax player against opponents who dig in against Ajax. “That does not benefit his talents and qualities. You saw him get worse by the week. Last week he played behind the ball again and he had the game in front of him. Then he had it rushes and gears again. Then Gravenberch becomes Gravenberch again. High in the build-up is not his thing.”
On Sunday afternoon, Ajax will once again compete against a compact team, as Sparta Rotterdam will start the duel at Het Kasteel with five defenders. “I prefer to see Gravenberch at the ball and then looking for solutions”, Vink continues. “And he has to keep moving. He has a very strong tendency that he collapses when he gives a pass, while it becomes much more dynamic if you keep moving. First the discussion was whether Berghuis or Klaassen should play on 10, and that shifted to at some point to Gravenberch and Klaassen. That should never happen when you’re Gravenberch.”
Hans Kraay junior is not concerned about the fact that Gravenberch has had a number of lesser competitions in recent weeks. “Sjaak, you are not worried that he has played three matches less? It will be sold by Ajax again for forty million later?”, Kraay junior asks Sjaak Swart, who also attended the football talk show. “Then he has to get better than now,” said Swart. “I don’t think it’s good in the position where he is now. And that’s a shame.”