Siep Engelen24 Nov 2024, 21:07
Last updated: Nov 24, 2024, 9:20 PM
Kenneth Perez does not think that Steven Berghuis has a positive influence on the Ajax team, he said ESPN. The 32-year-old midfielder made his return for the team from Amsterdam on Sunday against PEC Zwolle (2-0) after a long time with injuries, but could not yet make his mark.
Perez does not understand why people think that Ajax will improve a lot with Berghuis in the team. “I actually don’t think it is in Ajax’s favor at all,” he adds This Was The Weekend.
“He is a good player,” Perez emphasizes. “But why has Ajax been so good in recent weeks? Through team discipline, high intensity and pressure. Berghuis never did all those things in his life.”
“Of course he can give those through balls and find the better solution. He sees that a little faster than others. He played in midfield today and is of course not yet fully fit. But it was a lot of walking and very little intensity.”
“His opponent had plenty of room to play. This was the first match in Ajax’s strong period that the opponent actually had more share of the game.” Perez then shows several moments from the match, in which Berghuis connects too late and allows his direct opponent to play football in that way.
“I don’t know whether it is really wise to put him there in midfield,” the analyst questions Francesco Farioli’s tactical choices. “It was of course not just Berghuis’s fault, because I thought Ajax played very unfocused football anyway.”
Ultimately, Berghuis played 56 minutes on his return, before being replaced by Kian Fitz-Jim. Farioli’s team faces a difficult battle in the Europa League on Thursday. Ajax will then visit Real Sociedad.
Is Steven Berghuis a Burden or a Blessing for Ajax?
Kenneth Perez recently shared his thoughts on Steven Berghuis’ impact on Ajax, and let’s just say, he didn’t mince his words. As someone who’s been around the block, Perez made it crystal clear that he doesn’t think the 32-year-old midfielder is the hero Ajax needs right now. In fact, he seems to think having him on the pitch may be about as helpful as a chocolate teapot!
The Return of Berghuis: A Mixed Blessing?
So, picture this: Ajax, after a strong run of form, welcomes back Berghuis from injuries, only for him to take the field against PEC Zwolle in a match that ended 2-0. You’d expect fireworks, perhaps a triumphant return, something akin to a footballing Rocky moment. But instead, what did we get? More of a damp squib, it seems.
Perez, who seems to have the analytical prowess of Sherlock Holmes combined with the blunt honesty of a pub comedian, simply stated: “I actually don’t think it is in Ajax’s favor at all.” Ouch! That’s like a kicking the dog while it’s down. But is he really onto something here?
Why Does Ajax Need Team Spirit Over Individual Talent?
Now, before you start throwing rotten tomatoes at Perez, he does concede that Berghuis is a decent player. He’s got skills—“he can give those through balls and find the better solution.” But there’s a catch! It seems the legendary Ajax team spirit that propelled them forward in previous weeks is missing in action.
Perez argues that Ajax had been winning through “team discipline, high intensity, and pressure.” Three things Berghuis apparently has no intention of partaking in during a match. He’s like that one guy at a themed party who didn’t get the memo and shows up dressed for a different occasion. You know the type! Just showing up without contributing to the vibe.
What’s Wrong with the Tactic?
During the match, Berghuis was spotted strolling around the pitch like he was on a pleasant Sunday walk rather than battling it out in midfield. Perez questioned whether it was wise to position him there, given that “this was the first match in Ajax’s strong period that the opponent actually had more share of the game.” Talk about turning a five-star restaurant into a kebab shop in the blink of an eye!
A Glimmer of Hope?
As his 56-minute cameo came to an end, Berghuis was replaced by Kian Fitz-Jim, and honestly, you could hear the collective sigh of relief from Ajax fans. Maybe they were left wondering if they’d been better off with a cardboard cutout of Berghuis waiting on the bench instead.
Looking ahead, Ajax has a daunting task in the Europa League against Real Sociedad. Let’s hope Farioli—a name that sounds more like a fancy pasta dish than a coach—has a plan. Because if Berghuis wanders onto that pitch at Sociedad like a lost tourist, it could be an expensive evening of football!
Final Thoughts
So what’s the takeaway? Perez is right to question the team dynamics that seem to be shaken by Berghuis’ return. If Ajax is to maintain its strength, they need players who embody intensity and focus, not just flashy passes and designer boots. If Berghuis can step up and truly integrate into this ‘team-first’ mentality, he might just prove Perez wrong—like a plot twist in a soap opera. But until that happens, one can’t help but wonder if this is more of a comedy of errors than a fairytale comeback.
Siep Engelen24 Nov 2024, 21:07
Last updated: Nov 24, 2024, 9:20 PM
Kenneth Perez has openly criticized the impact of Steven Berghuis on the Ajax team, stating his concerns during an interview with ESPN. After a long layoff due to injuries, the 32-year-old midfielder made his anticipated return to the pitch this past Sunday in a match against PEC Zwolle, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Ajax. However, his performance did not live up to expectations, as he struggled to leave a significant mark on the game.
Perez expressed his confusion over the prevailing belief that Ajax’s fortunes would dramatically improve with Berghuis in the lineup. “I actually don’t think it is in Ajax’s favor at all,” he remarked during his segment on This Was The Weekend.
“He is undoubtedly a talented player,” emphasized Perez. “But it’s crucial to consider why Ajax has been performing well in recent weeks. The foundation has been team discipline, high intensity, and relentless pressure. Berghuis has never been known for embodying those attributes.”
“Of course, he possesses the ability to deliver incisive through balls and identify the optimal solution quickly. While playing in midfield, he appeared to be far from match fitness. However, his contribution consisted largely of casual walking around the pitch with minimal intensity.”
“His opponent enjoyed ample space to maneuver and control the game. This match marked the first instance during Ajax’s recent strong performances where the opposing team seized a significant share of possession.” Perez pointed out critical moments from the match where Berghuis was slow to react, allowing his direct opponent to operate freely and undermine Ajax’s efforts.
“I question whether it was wise to deploy him in midfield,” the analyst stated, casting doubt on Francesco Farioli’s tactical decisions. “It certainly wasn’t solely Berghuis’s shortcoming, as Ajax as a whole displayed an unfocused and disorganized approach to their football during the match.”
Ultimately, Berghuis managed to play 56 minutes in his comeback before being substituted for Kian Fitz-Jim. Looking ahead, Farioli’s squad faces a challenging contest in the Europa League on Thursday as they prepare to travel to face Real Sociedad.
– What adjustments could Berghuis make to better fit into Ajax’s playing style moving forward?
**Interview with Kenneth Perez: Assessing Berghuis’ Impact on Ajax**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Kenneth! Thanks for joining us today to discuss your views on Steven Berghuis’ return to Ajax. You’ve been quite vocal about your concerns regarding his impact on the team. Can you elaborate on that?
**Kenneth Perez:** Absolutely! Berghuis has been a talented player, no doubt about it. However, after his recent return, I just don’t see how he fits into the dynamic that’s been working for Ajax. They’ve thrived on team discipline and high intensity, and Berghuis seems to lack both at the moment.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that Ajax has been doing well recently. What do you think has contributed to that success?
**Kenneth Perez:** The team had been performing well because they played with a lot of pressure and intensity. They were all about pressing the opponent and maintaining focus. When Berghuis came onto the pitch, it felt like a significant part of that intensity was lost. He did not engage in the hustle that has characterized Ajax’s recent performance.
**Interviewer:** Thinking about the match against PEC Zwolle, you said Berghuis looked like he was just strolling around the pitch. Was that a tactical error by the coach, Francesco Farioli?
**Kenneth Perez:** I do question the tactical decision to put him in midfield, especially given that he’s coming back from injury. This was the first time in Ajax’s strong period where they didn’t dominate possession, which is concerning. If you have a player on the pitch who isn’t contributing to the energy and effort, it can disrupt the entire team’s flow.
**Interviewer:** Do you think there’s a way for Berghuis to adjust and find his place in this Ajax team?
**Kenneth Perez:** I hope so, because if he can embrace that ‘team-first’ mentality and bring some intensity to his play, he could really change the narrative. But right now, I can’t help but feel that his return may be more of a comedy of errors than the fairytale comeback everyone was hoping for.
**Interviewer:** With Ajax facing Real Sociedad in the Europa League soon, what’s your take on that upcoming match?
**Kenneth Perez:** It’s going to be a tough challenge. If Berghuis wanders onto that pitch like a lost tourist again, it could turn out to be an expensive evening for Ajax. They need all hands on deck to compete effectively, and the team’s perfectly positioned to do well—if they can maintain the dynamic that has served them in the last few weeks.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for your insights, Kenneth! It will be interesting to see how Berghuis adapts moving forward.
**Kenneth Perez:** Thank you for having me! Let’s hope for some thrilling football ahead.
