Wim Kieft: 'That would be a boost for Ajax and the Eredivisie'

In the Q&A section of KieftJansenEgmondGijp, Wim Kieft gives his views on Noa Lang. The forward was recently linked with Ajax, though it remains to be seen whether he will actually return to the Netherlands.

"For the Dutch league and Ajax, that would be an addition," Kieft says as he gives his verdict on Lang. "At PSV he did quite well too, of course."

Kieft quickly points to what he sees as the issue with the Netherlands international. "It has only become clear that it has not worked out abroad, which is a shame. You can have unconventional behaviour, as long as you perform."

He then broadens it out. "We rate players highly very quickly. We are going to see that with Godts as well, even though he is Belgian. Lang did not succeed in Naples. And after that he went to Galatasaray. That did not really work out either, of course," sighs the sceptical Kieft. "Lang could succeed abroad. I certainly would not return to the Netherlands if I were him," Rob Jansen adds. "But he struggles with criticism. This generation suffers from that more, by the way."

Jansen continues: "If he really focused on football. And stopped all the peripheral matters for a while. Then he can still have a very fine career."

Offering Lang some protection, Kieft adds: "It is not as if he does really crazy things either. You always get the idea there is a bit more in him. It is not automatic, mentally everything has to be right as well. And some do not have that."

Ajax were linked with Lang and were also offered Leon Bailey (Aston Villa). Technical director Jordi Cruyff appears to be exploring several options for the left-wing position.