Former Ajax midfielder Kenneth Perez can’t understand why the Eredivisie champions would sign Steven Bergwijn from Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur in January, speaking to ESPN’s Voetbal Talk.
If you’re not on nodding terms with Dutch football (don’t tell me you’re not enthralled about the prospect of RKC Waalwijk vs Heracles) then you’d be forgiven for assuming a man Spurs paid £27 million for less than two years ago would stroll into Ajax’s starting XI without breaking sweat.
The reality, however, is rather different.
On current form, it’s hard to see Bergwijn finding game time easier to come by at the Johan Cruyff Arena than he is at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Dusan Tadic, perhaps the finest, most influential footballer in the whole of the Netherlands, continues to weave his magic wand in Bergwijn’s favoured left-wing role, casting a stupefying spell over Eredivisie defences.
Steven Berghuis has impressed in a number ten role since sealing a controversial move from bitter rivals Feyenoord last summer.
And the fabulous Antony, meanwhile, is arguably a more technically-gifted, naturally talented footballer than Tottenham’s seldom-seen number 23.
Will Steven Bergwijn leave Spurs for Ajax?
“I think it’s superfluous to get Bergwijn,” says Perez, highlighting the fact that the former PSV talisman would also have Brazil international David Neres for competition.
“Neres is someone who can play very well in the small spaces. You know Bergwijn. Is he in better shape than Neres just because he scored for the Dutch national team?
“He never plays for Tottenham, so we can’t really judge him.”
Bergwijn might have scored a fine solo goal in the Netherland’s recent 2-0 victory over Norway in World Cup qualifying but, at club level, he has found the net just once in his last 46 Tottenham appearances.
And, according to The Times, a player who has seen three different managers in 23 months as a Spurs player – four if you include Ryan Mason – may be in line for a mid-season chop as Conte plans a ruthless January cull.
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