Valentijn Driessen: 'Ajax are bringing their problems into the house with him...'

Valentijn Driessen cannot understand Ajax's decision to bring Yves Bissouma to Amsterdam. De Telegraaf's football editor fears the Amsterdam club are mainly bringing in problems with the Mali midfielder.

On Vandaag Inside, Driessen gives his brutally frank verdict on Bissouma. "He is some Malian who uses nitrous oxide more than he is present at training," he says.

Two years ago, Tottenham Hotspur suspended Bissouma on disciplinary grounds after a video surfaced on social media showing him using nitrous oxide. "Nitrous oxide for recreational use, and for a footballer at that!" Driessen sighs.

What Driessen particularly cannot work out is how the move for Bissouma fits with Ajax's earlier decisions. "Jordi Cruijff did not want Noa Lang because he was supposedly a difficult footballer, but if you bring this one in… then you really are bringing in problems."

On Monday evening, coach Míchel Sánchez also comes in for criticism from Driessen. The journalist cannot agree with the Spaniard's decision to start Oliver Edvardsen on the left wing against Fortuna Sittard in a 5-1 win. "As long as you do not pick your best player, Ouazane, you will never be champions. That Míchel does not do that."

Nor does Julian Brandt escape Driessen's criticism, despite his fine opening goal. "In Germany they thought that Brandt was a softie. When there was a battle to be fought, he was not there," the reporter says.

Driessen also finds Brandt's explanation afterwards too easy. The midfielder said he was unhappy with his first half and therefore reacted in a subdued way to his goal. "He finished that ball very well, but afterwards it is very easy to say: I did not play well, that is why I did not celebrate."