Brian Brobbey is worth gold for Ajax, according to Patrick Kluivert. The striker has had to deal with varying criticism this season and occasionally has contact with the former Ajax player, who believes that the teamwork at Ajax in particular could be improved.
During the period this season when Brobbey was having a more difficult time, Kluivert contacted Ajax’s attack leader. Does he still speak to the Ajax player, who is currently injured, today? “Every now and then, yes,” he says Rondo. ‘I think he is a super striker for Ajax. I was very different from Brian, but I think he is worth gold for Ajax at the moment.’
In turn, Marco van Basten is less enthusiastic about Brobbey’s qualities. He demands more from the Ajax striker. ‘If you look at what an Ajax striker needs in terms of technique, ball handling and teamwork, then I don’t think he is as great as you (Kluivert, ed.) and many other strikers were. We are very happy that he plays for Ajax, but if you analyze him, he should actually be much better.’
“His potential is very high and at the moment he is showing good things, but there are also things that could be improved,” Kluivert admits. ‘He can be even more of a killer in front of goal. The players around him can also play more in function towards him. He still has to create his own chances too much.’
Brobbey and Memphis
Next summer, the Dutch national team will compete against France, Austria and Poland at the European Championships. The position of the striker does not seem to have been completely determined yet, so there are opportunities for Brobbey. Van Basten would position the Ajax player in the striker position and Kluivert does not think otherwise. ‘I would put Memphis behind it. I think they would do well together.”
