Jordan Henderson has dominated the talk around his side’s clash with Aston Villa but the Dutch outfit have another generation of promising youngsters at their disposal… meet Ajax’s kids being shown the way by the midfielder
Jordan Henderson dominated the build-up to Ajax’s Europa Conference League clash with Aston Villa as the former Liverpool and England captain faced a Premier League club for the first time since leaving Anfield last summer.
Yet despite their patchy domestic form, the first leg in Amsterdam indicated Ajax have another generation of promising players who England’s top clubs will be following closely when the sides meet at Villa Park on Thursday, with a place in the last eight at stake.
Mail Sport takes a closer look at the kids being shown the way by Henderson.
Jordan Henderson dominated the talk around Ajax’s Europa Conference League tie with Aston Villa last week
The midfielder was facing and English team for the first time since leaving Liverpool in summer
Ajax do, however, currently have another promising set of youngsters at their disposal
Jorrel Hato – age 18, centre-back
Elegant central defender shone in the 0-0 draw in the first leg in Amsterdam and was namechecked by Villa boss Unai Emery on Wednesday.
Hato has already made his senior debut for the Netherlands, against Gibraltar in a Euro 2024 qualifier last November, and exactly the sort of quick, technical defender craved by the European elite.
They may have to wait a little while to sign him, though, as Hato agreed a new long-term deal with Ajax this week.
Jorrel Hato (right) shone in the 0-0 draw in the first leg and has already made his debut for the Netherlands
Ahmetcan Kaplan – age 21, centre-back
More of a pure defender than Hato but mightily effective at ensuring he is in the right place at the right moment.
After joining from Trabzonspor, Kaplan has yet to make his senior debut for Turkey but that is surely only a matter of time and it would be no surprise to see him at Euro 2024 this summer.
He showed up well against Ollie Watkins last week though marking Villa’s top scorer on his home turf will surely be a much tougher challenge.
Ahmetcan Kaplan (left) is more of a pure defender than Hato but is almost equally as promising
Devyne Rensch (right) has also been involved in the senior Netherland squad, though his last cap came more than two years ago
Devyne Rensch – age 21, defender
Like Hato, Rensch has been involved with the senior Netherlands squad and though his last cap came more than two years ago, there will surely be more in the future for this youth product, especially as he can fulfil most roles at the back.
The return of Josip Sutalo may mean Rensch is left out of the starting XI against Emery’s men but he is another player with a bright future.
Tristan Gooijer – age 19, right-back
Breaking into the Ajax senior squad only this season, Gooijer caught the eye as an attacking full-back against Villa before he was unlucky to pick up a second booking late on that means he will miss the second leg in Birmingham.
He has progressed through the age groups with Ajax and has also played for the Netherlands at Under-16 and Under-18 level.
If he maintains the standards he is setting at this early stage of his senior career, further international honours will surely follow.
Tristan Gooijer only broke into the senior squad this season but will miss the second leg against Aston Villa through suspension
Midfielder Kenneth Taylor (left) is considered one of the most talented players in his country
Kenneth Taylor – age 21, midfield
The Dutchman with the English name is considered one of the most talented players in his country and idolises Kevin De Bruyne and Christian Eriksen.
For most of his youth career, Taylor operated as a No6 or No8 but under current Ajax boss John van ‘t Schip, he plays in a more advance role just behind a central striker.
Though he was relatively quiet in the first leg, Taylor’s touch and technique were impressive and he can have a big influence on Thursday.
