Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek in action. (Getty Images)
According to the Sun, Tottenham and Chelsea are among the Premier League clubs to have expressed an interest in Ajax youngster Donny van de Beek.
The same report claims that Barcelona are also keeping close tabs on the progress of the youngster. However, Ajax are unlikely to let go of their prized asset in January and the Dutch giants might be more willing to do business next summer.
Donny van de Beek is one of the latest talents to have come through Ajax’s reputed academy. The 21-year-old made his senior debut in the Europa League against Celtic back in 2015 and has established himself as one of the mainstays of Ajax’s midfield in recent seasons.
Van de Beek had a wonderful season for Ajax last term where he racked up as many as 11 goals and 6 assists from 34 appearances in the Eredivisie. The 21-year-old has hit the ground running this term as well, registering 4 goals and 5 assists in the league. He was also one of the cornerstones of Ajax’s march to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
The youngster has also made his cut into the senior national team and has featured regularly for the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League.
Van de Beek is a technically-gifted and tactically versatile midfielder who is comfortable in central, defensive, holding and attacking roles in the middle of the park. However, he has largely been used in a No. 6 role at Ajax with the freedom to contribute to the attack in times of need.
He is not particularly fast but he is quite sharp and agile to play his part. While he likes to keep the ball at his feet to operate as the pivot of the midfield, van de Beek has a good range of passing which allows him to dictate the tempo of the game. The 21-year-old is also a good reader of the game in the midfield and uses his anticipation to cut out the attacks with crucial tackles and interceptions.
The Dutchman likes to operate as a withdrawn playmaker at times where his vision and creativity can be huge assets to the team. Although he is a central midfielder by trade, van de Beek has the tendency of getting into scoring positions by making runs further up the pitch.
To put things into perspective, he can be an ideal signing for Spurs and the Lilywhites should try to take the first initiative and lure the youngster to north London.
Despite not making a single signing in the summer, Tottenham have surpassed all expectations on all fronts. Mauricio Pochettino’s men deserve all the credit for competing with the likes of Inter Milan and Barcelona to reach the last 16 of the Champions League and have also secured a semi-final berth in the Carabao Cup.
However, lack of depth in the squad can be a major roadblock for Spurs later in the season. Mousa Dembele has already been ruled out with a long-term injury and his contract will also expire in the summer.
Donny van de Beek is an exciting prospect who has all the qualities to be the long-term successor to the throne of Mousa Dembele. And as we all know, Pochettino is very much capable of bringing the best out of youngsters.
That said, Spurs should follow up their interest in the young Dutchman in January and outbid their rivals to secure his services.