- Apr 21, 2007
- 558
- 745
That's an interesting read, thanks, but if anyone who's actually watched this guy play could give me an actual description of him I'd be really grateful.
from Ajax fans from his thread on Reddit:
It’s lovely to see but I can’t see this working too well against the bigger fish we usually meet in Europe. Maybe once Frenkie has had a chance to adept to it better when the new season comes around but in his current form, he’s too big of a defensive liability for that
(when asked if he gets paired up with De Ligt)
Every game basically. He doesnt belong there tho imo. He's much better as a 6.
Hopefully he plays in the midfield next season.
I personally don’t like him in this position, makes to many defensive mistakes (wich is understandable) much rather have him on the midfield in the “6” position.
He used to be an 8, but then started playing on 6 a lot in Jong Ajax, with Nouri and vd Beek ahead of him. He always did well there, so the most likely scenario seems that he'll take Schöne's spot.
(Schöne's the current 6)
(interesting/relevant comparisons to Toby and Jan)
At Ajax if you fail as a midfielder in the youth you practically get a second chance as a defender, same for wingers to backs. It's nice because the youth players that do succeed in this are great ball-playing defenders, but it is also the reason why Ajax defenders are always a tad nonchalant and make a lot of marking errors.
Heitinga, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, were all midfielders at some point in their youth careers.
It's his debut season and this is a video of one of the first games he played as a center back. He was very good this game. But he had a lot of games in which he wasn't this good.
I love the forward runs and his body feints to make space for himself, but I would love to see him getting playing time on the midfield instead of Schöne. He is a liability at the back and I think Wöber is an excellent defender for Ajax who should be playing when he isn't injured.
Let's just give this kid the time he needs to get to a good level and be consistent before letting him go to a bigger team. Please
the problem he has as a 6 is his shortcomings in transition from possession to defending. But from a footballing perspective he definitely needs to be at 6 to control the game with the play/ball ahead of him
I agree completely. Frenkie de Jong is far less physical and simply not a defender.
Usually he gets away with this, (bringing the ball out from CB) I can only remember him getting dispossessed once or twice and he does it a lot during the game. But it does hide a big downside, he's not a natural defender. On the defense he makes a lot of positional mistakes and he does tend to lose key duels in high pace situations
he's not actually a ball playing centre back though, it's just where he's being played. His natural position is as a technical midfielder with good awareness and ball retention
Probably better off looking at his matches for Holland u21 to see him play in a more natural role
It is obviously a risk. Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie's partner, said he's always clenching his butt when Frenkie has the ball.
Sounds like he is miles away from Prem-standard football but developing well in a new position. Worth noting that not a single Ajax fan gave a particularly glowing review throughout the whole thread, although they could simply be playing down their young talent.