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There is light on the horizon for Ryan Gravenberch (17). Ajax’s super talent took the European title last year with the Dutch national team under 17, is the youngest debutant and goal scorer ever in Ajax 1 and – as the greatest talent in youth training – was declared the first winner of the Abdelhak Nouri Trophy in 2018.
Nevertheless, after his first minutes versus PSV in September 2018, he was thrown back to Jong Ajax for months. His minutes in the 4-0 victory on Feyenoord where he came on as a sub only fueled the fire for more minutes in the first team. “Way more”, says the Amsterdammer, who is ready to storm the top and will be part of the match selection again tonight against PEC Zwolle. This week the talent spoke with de Dutch newspaper “de Telegraaf“
Do you know the expression ‘patience is a virtue’?
“Yes, I do. I’d rather make the fans happy today than tomorrow, but my chance will come. And then I have to grab the chance with both hands. My brothers and parents always emphasize that I have to stay calm.”
Do you think you’re ready for Ajax 1?
“I’m ready for minutes. Step by step I have to work towards that place in the first XI by showing that I have an added value in the playing time I get. I know the points for improvement myself. First of all, these are the notorious moments of the switchover. Defensively I can do better and I can’t let my direct opponent get away from me. It’s a matter of becoming more reliable. Because of all the advice, I might be focussing too much on defending right now, because I can attack. The balance between defending and attacking has to become natural again at some point.”
Can you describe the footballer Ryan Gravenberch?
“I’m a midfielder who loves to dribble and likes to give assists via through balls. And I regularly pick up my goals in Jong Ajax. People may not expect it from me, but I’m also fairly fast. Opponents don’t just run away from me.”
And the human being?
“I’m an Amsterdammer and a quiet, modest boy, I think. I’m don’t act tough or anything. I don’t care about going out. I prefer to chill at home with my friends on the PlayStation or with Netflix.”
Is it an advantage that you come from a real sports family?
“My parents both played football. Just like my two brothers, of whom Danzell has completed the entire Ajax youth academy. Almost completely as a striker and then suddenly as a central defender. And now he’s a striker at TOP Oss again.”
Danzell was also regarded as a talent and also became European champion in the Dutch national team under 17 (2012). How do you prevent the same course of your career?
“That’s what he wanted, but my goal is to really reach Ajax 1. For him, it played a role that he was put in as a central defender after he had always been a striker. That he did not make it there, can’t be blamed on him, because he is not a real defender.”
You’ll be under contract for one more year after this season and Mino Raiola is your agent, so the fans fear the worst. Do you understand that?
“No, not really.”
At Ajax, you have to sign a new contract or leave when there’s one year left.
“We’re not at that point yet. And like I said: Ajax is my club.”
Are you already talking about a new commitment?
“I could, but I don’t know because I leave that to Mino and my father and I only focus on Ajax. I am a child of the club, I have been playing here since 2010 and I hope to play football here for a while as well.”
Is it true that you could go to PSG when you were sixteen?
“Yes, and to a number of other foreign clubs. But I’m an Amsterdammer and Ajax is my club. If it’s up to me, I’ll definitely sign up again, because the people here have always been very good to me.” Laughing: “The top clubs will have to be patient for a few more years.”
When will your season have succeeded?
“If I make a lot of minutes every game. I have conversations with the trainer in which he tells me what I need to improve. If he finds me reliable in my position, he says he can field me. It’s now a matter of becoming even more reliable.”