In what can be termed as one of the most satisfying free transfers for the Eredivisie giants Ajax Amsterdam, Riechedly Bazoer moved from PSV to Ajax in 2012 rejecting Manchester City as the player’s mum thought it would be good for his son to spend more time at his homeland.
While PSV tried to mould him into a centre-back, the natural instincts of the player to move forward and join in with the attack was recognized by then manager Frank de Boer and the shift in the more suitable central midfield is what turned things around.
The thing which he was told to curb at Eindhoven was specifically the one encouraged at the Amsterdam Arena whilst retaining his instincts he picked up playing as a centre-back. After making his debut for the Amsterdam club in 2013, the player racked up 17 appearances in the Eredivisie in the 2014/15 season giving all a glimpse of his talent.
His performances in the Europa league that season made others stand up and take note. Nevertheless, last year, the 20-year old lit up the Eredivisie with his highly effective and matured performances making 29 appearances in the league, 27 of which were starts, to score 5 goals and register 4 assists and end up being called up to the national team to replace his injured teammate Davy Klaassen making his debut for the Oranje against Wales on November 2015.
Playing in the midfield three in the 4-3-3 formation of Ajax, the 6ft central midfielder has shown excellent maturity and tactical knowledge fitting in seamlessly with a structure that requires a smooth execution of rotational midfield.
Just like his idol Patrick Vieira, Bazoer is a player capable of doing it all in the midfield having the ability to embark on a trademark drive from deep positions that made his idol legendary.
A player having the physical attributes to hold off a challenge or win the ball while executing one while having the technique and composure to carry it gracefully up the pitch or spray it to a teammate, the Dutchman has already been linked in his homeland with a stalwart like Frank Rijkaard and is mooted to be the superstar of the future.
Arsenal had sent scouts to watch the player and the reports are already bearing the green signal for a potential move it seems. Italian giants AC Milan are also interested in the player with his agent revealing recently that he is already in talks with 4 clubs with Milan being one of them.
With the ability and potential of the player for all to see, there is bound to be plenty of interest in the player from all across Europe, however it remains to be seen if he finds himself at Arsenal just like his idol who had his career shaped in North London under the tutelage of another legend in Arsene Wenger.
