Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder admits he convinced Mohammed Kudus to stay at the Johan Cruyff Arena despite interest from Premier League outfit Everton during the summer transfer window, speaking to Voetbal International.
The former Club Brugge boss certainly has big shoes to fill in the Dutch capital; replacing Erik ten Hag following his move to Manchester United.
And, when such decisions are made, there is always a chance that the new man at the helm ends up feeling like the Josh Klinghoffer to Ten Hag’s John Frusciante. The Adam Lambert to Ten Hag’s Freddie Mercury.
Decisions like the one to turn Kudus from a box-to-box midfielder into a penalty-box poacher, however, will only justify Ajax’s decision to hand Schreuder the keys. With seven goals in 11 games so far, including Champions League stunners against Rangers and Liverpool, Kudus’ transformation is a triumph of Schreuder’s vision and tactical nous.
Mohammed Kudus can’t stop scoring after Everton missed out
“In the pre-season, I already saw a good striker in him. But I consciously did not want to reveal that too early,” explains Schreuder, who enjoyed a brief spell alongside Ronald Koeman at Barcelona.
“That he emerges like this is great. He sees himself more and more in this role. During the period that Everton wanted him, I told him: ‘You are still going to be very important to us.’
“That has come true. And I have also indicated to him to think less about positions, but mainly about possibilities on the pitch. Having a completely different type of striker to (physical number nine Brian) Brobbey, I see as a great luxury.”
Kudus struggled to nail down a starting spot at Ajax under Ten Hag, with his re-imagination in a more attacking role coming after Everton tried to lure the Ghana international to Goodison Park.
The Toffees failed with a £15 million bid late in the window.
“Everton offered me a great opportunity and I wanted to try it,” Kudus admits. “No footballer wants to sit on the bench and neither do I. Although I understand that not everyone can play all the time, Everton seemed like a good option at the time.”
Now, with a starting spot at Ajax his to lose, Kudus may be feeling rather pleased about how things worked out in the end.
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