Kenneth Perez tears into a big name at Ajax: ‘He runs hard and keeps busy, but...’
Kenneth Perez believes Daley Blind has an important role to play at Ajax and would use the experienced left-footer as a holding midfielder. The ESPN analyst is not entirely convinced by Sofyan Amrabat, who currently plays in that position. Perez thinks Ajax need a player who can bring composure to midfield and get the team playing.
Blind returned on Sunday after a lengthy spell out through injury in Ajax's hard-fought 1-2 away win against Sparta Rotterdam. The 36-year-old came on for Julian Brandt in the 89th minute and helped Ajax see out the win. The three points took Ajax above PSV in the table and cut the gap to leaders Feyenoord to three points.
On Monday evening, Ajax's inconsistency came under scrutiny on Voetbalpraat on ESPN. Sjoerd Mossou said Ajax show the least stability among the traditional top clubs and even called the second half against Sparta 'dramatic'.
"Daley Blind may well be able to provide more stability," Perez said. "He naturally brings a lot to the team's play from the back. Youri Baas does that too, but Blind is also someone you bring in for his experience."
For Perez, Blind's biggest strengths aren't physical. "You don't bring him in for his pace and strength, of course, but more to have someone out there who can organise the team," the former footballer explained. He believes good on-field communication can make a big difference at many clubs.
Asked by presenter Wouter Bouwman where he would play Blind, Perez had an answer ready. "At number six, I think, to be honest," replied the Dane, identifying Amrabat's position. His assessment of the Morocco international was lukewarm: "Amrabat does all right, or at least runs hard and all over the pitch. He keeps busy."
Perez wants a different type of holding midfielder at Ajax. "I prefer someone who receives the ball calmly, passes it to the right colour of shirt and plays through the lines," he explained. "Because I think the number six position is the new number ten. That's the player who gets your team playing."
Laughing at Perez's description of Amrabat's qualities, Feyenoord reporter Martijn Krabbendam said: "It's quite something, the way a player like that is analysed, isn't it? He runs, tries very hard and keeps busy." Perez stood by his view: "That can be enough, and for a lot of people the reaction is: wow, look how hard he's trying. But I'd rather have something else."
