Steven Bergwijn continues to attract criticism after leaving Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur with the Ajax winger ‘playing very badly’ after returning to the Netherlands.
Despite his struggles in North London, the Dutch international was expected to take the Eredivisie by storm after becoming Ajax’s £25 million club-record signing in July 2022.
Steven Bergwijn, after all, was arguably the division’s most exciting attacking during his time at PSV Eindhoven. But similarly scintillating displays have been in short supply in the red-and-white of an Ajax side who now look set to finish a distant third, behind new champions Feyenoord as well as Bergwijn’s old employers.
In 31 league games, the winger has 12 goals and five assists.
Hardly a dreadful return. But not quite what was expected from a man supposed to help Ajax move on from the departure of their brilliant Brazilian Antony.
Steven Bergwijn struggling after Tottenham Hotspur exit
“He was bought for more than thirty million euros. That has never been paid for a player in the Netherlands,” Ajax legend Wim Kieft tells Veronica Offside.
“You should already have a lot of confidence (in yourself), because they pay so much for you. He (has) just played very badly.”
It’s been a similar story for many of Ajax’s summer signings. Jorge Sanchez, Lorenzo Lucca, Florian Grillitsch and former Rangers defender Calvin Bassey have all disappointed too, the departures of head coach Erik ten Hag and recruitment specialist Marc Overmars hitting the Amsterdam giants hard both on and off the pitch.
“In attack, Steven Bergwijn is very disappointing,” Kieft said a couple of weeks ago.
“He plays football like the eternal talent. It is as if you are watching the Bergwijn of four or five years ago at PSV. When he alternated one or two good matches with five bad ones.
“Bergwijn is now 25-years-old. He has had an adventure in the Premier League. So you can expect more than what he has shown at Ajax so far. Demand even more.
“(Bergwijn) has it in him, but you don’t see it at all at Ajax. He lacks the will and drive to give everything to get the best out of himself. Bergwijn has to think about himself.”
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