After impressing during pre-season, hugely talented Ajax midfielder Noa Lang is ready to make his breakthrough in the Eredivisie.
- By Michael Bell
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An Ajax fan from birth, Lang seem destined to join the Amsterdam club’s academy, but he grew up near Rotterdam and at the age of five he was drafted into the Feyenoord academy. The step-son of former Ajax player Nourdin Boukhari, Lang was forced to follow him to France when he joined Nantes, but a year later he was back in the Feyenoord academy.
Lang never made it a secret that he was an Ajax fan while at Feyenoord and at times that caused problems in Rotterdam. Eventually a move to Ajax materialised in 2013, despite Martin van Geel’s attempt to keep him at De Kuip.
The talented midfielder quickly rose through the ranks in Amsterdam, and during the 2016/17 season he made his professional debut for Jong Ajax He also starred for Ajax’s U19’s in the UEFA Youth League, scoring a wonderful goal against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Last season, Lang was a regular for Jong Ajax in the Eerste Divisie, scoring twice and adding four assists in fourteen games, while he was also on the bench for three Eredivisie matches. However, injuries limited his campaign and stopped him from making his first-team debut.
Lang is currently a Netherlands U19 international with three goals in six caps.
Style of Play
Lang is a gifted attacking midfielder, who can also be deployed on either wing.
The 19-year-old has exceptional technique on the ball and can breeze past opponents at will with his dribbling ability and a bag of tricks. Lang can unlock defences with his vision and can score a varied range of goals with two strong feet.
Lang has worked hard on his fitness and shows plenty of stamina to race around the pitch while getting back to help the defence when needed.
What to expect from Lang this season
Lang was close to making his first-team debut last season and this campaign should be his breakthrough year. Ajax’s packed midfield means that Lang will most likely start the campaign as a backup winger but it will give him an opportunity to showcase his talent.
Lang has been dreaming of his first-team debut since he swapped Feyenoord for Ajax as a youngster and he should get his wish in the coming weeks. He has all the ability and confidence to become a key player in Amsterdam and could earn a call-up for Jong Oranje.
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