The second team of Ajax, referred to as Jong Ajax in this article, drew with FC Eindhoven in what was a very attractive match. Jong Ajax set up in a 4-2-3-1 and tried to dominate possession, putting high pressure on the opponent’s backline. However, it was FC Eindhoven who played out of Ajax’s pressure quite easily in the first 15 minutes or so and they managed to score an early goal. After that goal Ajax succeeded in controlling the game more and more, creating several opportunities. Danilo Pereira missed a big chance to equalize, but he scored his second chance of the night after Sontje Hansen earned a penalty. FC Eindhoven scored an early goal in the second half from a free-kick. Ajax once again had to try to equalize and they did so after Sontje Hansen was important for Ajax once again, cutting inside to his weaker left foot but absolutely rifling it into the top corner.
Ratings:
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, re-watch
- D – Below average in this match
Youri Regeer
Player profile:
- Nationality: Dutch
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 18/08/2003
- Club: Ajax
- Career: Rijnsburgse Boys (Y), ADO Den Haag (Y), Ajax (Y), Ajax
- Position: Central Midfield
- Secondary position: Right-Back, Defensive Midfielder and Attacking Midfielder
- Preferred foot: Right
Youri Regeer played as a right-back for Jong Ajax this evening. Standing at approximately 177cm with a toned build, Youri Regeer does not possess much strength in the ground duels, but his tenacity and aggressiveness in some duels help him to recover possession. The Dutchman is not that quick on the first meters but has a good pace over long distances. His lack of speed on the first meters can hinder him in 1v1 situations from a standstill. Regeer has okay agility and his changes of directions are okay too. The versatile youth international often provided width for Ajax in their attacks, especially when Ajax were in possession centrally in crowded areas. He would receive the ball on the wing in a lot of space, but his crosses were average in this match. His five assists in twelve matches from right-back in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie would suggest that his crosses would be good, but Youri Regeer’s low crosses often did not get past the first defender.
His crosses often lacked accuracy even though he looked up well. However, Youri Regeer has a lot of ball-playing ability and his passes are very good. His technique is great and he is very consistent with his passing. From deeper areas, Regeer possesses a decent vision and showed this when he played a powerful diagonal pass towards Danilo Pereira, who was through on goal but failed to make a good first touch. The captain of Jong Ajax has good spatial awareness and can exploit spaces that are left open by the opponents very well. He is good in small spaces and can find teammates when being put under aggressive pressure. Regeer made a small mistake at the 0-1, as he failed to time his offside trap well.
Rating – A1
I do not think that Youri Regeer’s future at Ajax is in the right-back position. He is not good enough defensively and not quick enough on the first meters. I think he could perform well in the 20/21 Davy Klaassen in the attacking midfield role. Regeer has more potential than Klaassen and is not a similar player, but his good spatial awareness and capability in the small spaces could make him a good attacking midfielder for Ajax. For now, I hope that he joins the Ajax first team in the Summer and that he will focus himself on one position.
Target Scouting 