The Dutch star banished by Erik ten Hag is now “better than Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo”
Erik ten Hag's former Ajax prospect Noa Lang is said to be “better” than Cody Gakpo, according to former Netherlands internationals.
Lang was considered one of Europe's most exciting young talents in 2019 as he scored a hat-trick on his first Eredivisie start to Ajax.
The then 20-year-old had the golden opportunity ten witches but the couple finally quarreled and they clashed verbally during a match.
Instructions were given by Ten Hag on the touchline but were dismissed by Lang, who was then sold to Club Brugge in 2021, where he released a x-rated rant to his teammates.
He now plays for PSV Eindhoven and was involved in the Netherlands' 4-0 Nations League victory against Hungary on Saturday night.
It was Lang's first international appearance in over a year, but it is clear that Rafael van der Vaart and Marco van Basten rate him highly.
Dutch legends also believe he is better than his fellow winger. Gakpowho came close to joining Ten Hag in manchester united.
“Gakpo is really an incredible player at world level, Liverpool… Noa Lang, of course. Then you have a problem,” Van der Vaart said on Ziggo Sport via VoetbalPrimeur.
“I think Noa Lang is better than Cody Gakpo,” Van Basten said, and Van der Vaart agreed when he responded, “Me too.
“If I look at the potential, the talent. But Gakpo goes beyond that. How do you deal with that as a coach?”
Ruud Gullit disagreed with them, saying: “I don't think Noa Lang is better yet, you can't say that.”
And he added: “Gakpo has also shown it, come on. Noa Lang better? You can't say that. Gakpo is much more advanced, you know?”
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Gakpo became a summer transfer target for United in 2022 after scoring 21 goals and assisting another 15 for PSV in the previous season.
He added another 30 goals the following campaign and scored in all of Holland's group stage matches at the 2022 World Cup.
United rekindled their interest ahead of the January 2023 transfer window, but their rivals Liverpool He signed him for an initial 35 million pounds.
Therefore, Ten Hag missed his man, who revealed that he spoke to his compatriot about a possible move to Old Trafford.
“It was the summer before,” Gakpo said. sky sports. “I was in contact with the club and the coach, he is Dutch, so I spoke to him too.
“In the end it failed, that's all, and in the winter Liverpool arrived. It was the best decision for me.”
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Since then, Gakpo has made 96 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 29 goals and assisting a further 11 in all competitions.
The 25-year-old has had a good start to his life under Arne Slot this season, having scored six goals and assisted two more.
