Loss & Legacy: Remembering [Name]’s Impact

The loss of Jordan Henderson at Ajax is very great, it says Algemeen Dagblad. According to the morning newspaper, the lack of ‘such an experienced extension’ of trainer John Heitinga is a problem and the coach will quickly have to find someone else for that role.

In an analysis, Ajax watcher Johan Inan concludes that Ajax under Francesco Farioli was ‘much more difficult’ to beat, because Ajax players had to be passed three times. “Compare Steven Berghuis’s support for Lucas Rosa against PSV in March with that of Godts for Wijndal last month,” the morning newspaper states. ‘That difference is enormous. If you allow that as a trainer, you are doomed. Heitinga has to demolish the playground. By confronting players with the images, setting clear frameworks and having a number of players monitor them.’

“That makes the loss of Jordan Henderson so great,” says Inan further. He points to the fact that Bertrand Traoré suffered a lot from Henderson last season, after he easily lost the ball with a big lead against Besiktas. ‘Especially for an inexperienced trainer like Heitinga, such an experienced extension is necessary. He must find them, point them out and instruct them.’

Inan also states that a ‘danger’ behind the appointment of ‘clubman’ Heitinga is that he will agree to all cuts for the staff and selection. As a result, the coach suggested hiring James McConnell from Liverpool. ‘He’s barely played yet. Everyone within the club is now discovering how much Ajax is longing for an experienced leader.’

Listen below to the episode of More than Football: Día y Noche with former international Jeffrey Bruma about his Premier League debut at Chelsea at the age of 17, playing with icons such as Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, being captain of the Dutch team & spotting the ‘new Virgil van Dijk 2.0’