After some impressive cameo’s last season, Ajax are expecting big things from exceptionally talented midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

  • By Michael Bell
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De Jong came through the Willem II Aacademy and made his first team debut at the age of 17 against ADO Den Haag before earning a move to Ajax. He was loaned back to the Tilburg club for the start of the 2015/16 season but only made two appearances before returning to Amsterdam and playing a bigger role for Jong Ajax in the Eerste Divisie.

Last season, De Jong starred in the Eerste Divisie, contributing eight assists and six goals as Jong Ajax finished second. He was nominated for talent of the year but also played his way into the first team, making eight appearances including four in the Europa League. He came on as a late substitute in the final against Manchester United, and impressed despite only making an eight-minute cameo.

This season, Marcel Keizer has De Jong firmly as part of his first team with De Jong playing first backup to the first choice midfield of Lasse Schone, Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech. Some of the fan base are already convinced that the 20-year-old should be selected ahead of Schone.

Style of Play

De Jong is a conductor in the Ajax field, often picking up the ball in space before moving the play forward. His technique, vision and passing ability on the ball is incredible already and every ball he makes seems to land directly on its target. He isn’t physical but De Jong’s awareness of space and game intelligence always puts him one step ahead of his opponents and he has the ability to tear defences apart at will.

De Jong also has a keen eye for goal and a sweet right foot which can be deadly from set pieces.

What to expect from De Jong this season

The midfielder is an exceptional talent and one that has an excellent future in the game if developed correctly. This season he will look to hold down a place in the Ajax first team and enhance his growing reputation in both the Europa league and Eredivisie. A call-up to Netherlands U21’s is on the cards and who knows if he keeps playing so well an invitation to Oranje’s full squad wouldn’t be out of the question.




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