The 19-year-old Netherlands international has already snubbed the likes of Manchester City and Napoli and has the potential to reach his dream of becoming an incredible midfielder
Barcelona, Manchester City, Napoli, PSV and Ajax have all courted him. At the age of 19 and already a Netherlands international, Riechedly Bazoer, a player with great ambition and the talent to match, is in the early stages of what could become a wonderful career.
Strong, tall, intelligent and athletic, he is enjoying his first full season of top level football and has become a key part of Ajax’s midfield. He still has issues relating to consistency that one would expect of a player in the formative years of his career, but Bazoer has been attracting interest from some of Europe’s top sides since well before he had kicked a ball in professional football.
After sailing through PSV’s youth system, he decided at 16 that he wanted to leave, having grown frustrated at not being played in his preferred position and no coherent plan for his development mapped out for him.
Sensing an opportunity, Bazoer flew to Manchester to discuss a move to City, who brought out their best known figures in an attempt to woo him.
"It was a special experience," he told Voetbal International. "People like Patrick Vieira and Sergio Aguero came to have a chat with me and I talked with then coach Roberto Mancini. Stars I only knew on the PlayStation suddenly gave me attention.
"There was a three-year contract ready. Eventually my mother played a key role. She said I was too young to go abroad and felt I could develop in a familiar environment in the Netherlands."
And so it was. Bazoer opted to join Ajax instead, having been pleased with the path to the first team they laid out. Crucially, they felt he was more suited to the midfield, whereas PSV wanted him to continue as a defender.
He has since grown into an elegant and precocious midfielder, one of the most promising in the country just now, and is catching the eye of quality sides. Arsenal and Bayern Munich have been linked to him, while Barca have scouted him and made contact.
Ajax even accepted Napoli’s offer of an initial €25 million with a further €25m in add-ons for him in January, but the player opted to remain in the Dutch capital to ensure he develops properly.
Every decision Bazoer has made, despite the hype that has surrounded him from a young age, has been about improving steadily as a footballer. It is all building towards fulfilling his dream – moving to Barcelona.
"I want to remain a first-team player and develop further into an even better footballer," he said recently. "Maybe when I turn 22 or 23 I can leave for a nice club in Spain. Preferably to Barcelona, that would be the ultimate dream."
The midfielder, who has named Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi as two of his favourite players, has repeated his desire several times, telling Helden this week: "I hope I can leave in two or three years to my join dream club Barcelona. That tiki-taka style of football suits me.”
The interest is mutual, as he recently revealed: "I'm not going to be mysterious about it. Two months ago they told my brother, who's my agent, about the interest. Ajax technical director Marc Overmars also knows about the interest. They're watching my games and keeping an eye on me."
Few would bet against him reaching such a high level. Ever since his first game in professional football at just 16, Bazoer has looked capable of greatness, while mentally he is strong and determined. The Utrecht-born player was immediately thrust into the Jong Ajax starting XI, playing in the second tier.
"It was like there was a grown man on the field," Ronald de Boer said of him in 2013. "He settled into the high level almost effortlessly. Especially in possession, he is very complete. He is inquisitive and intelligent."
Bazoer is on a path of constant improvement. He was given his first taste of Eredivisie football in December 2014 and earned the respect of coach Frank de Boer. Shortly afterwards, he was an ever-present in the first-team and made himself a crucial player.
It is somewhat typical of the rapid rise and development of a player who has always looked older and further developed than his years would suggest.
Edwin de Wijs, his former coach at PSV, recalls his unprecedented progress through the club’s youth system: "I could not believe my eyes. In a new team, with older boys, he was the best after just a few months. After three months in the C1 he wanted to be promoted to the B-team. And then straight to the A-team. He has no patience - not everything should be fast. But he always makes it happen."
Bazoer even grew a reputation for talking back to his coaches, never surrendering to authority if he felt his own ideas were justified. "I’ve always had confidence in my abilities," he told _OnsOranje.nl. “_Age does not matter. You must be able to show your skill at the highest level. I have done that, so it doesn’t surprise me that I'm already here at such a young age."
On the ball, Bazoer looks composed and comfortable, regardless of the pressure he faces. His passing is tidy, though he still needs to improve his decision making, while he has the presence and strength to become a dominating midfielder.
Bazoer sees himself as more of a deep-lying midfielder, but he is capable of adding to the attack in a more box-to-box role. His awareness and movement off the ball are sound, as is his control, while his shooting from distance is improving.
"Riechedly is just a great talent," Frank de Boer said of him. "He is so talented and stable, I see him as a major force in the future of Ajax and Dutch football."
After progressing through the youth teams at national level, he was soon given his debut for the Netherlands senior team, coming on in a 3-2 win over Wales. Ajax have been underwhelming and dull this term, and while Bazoer has at times struggled to shine in a team lacking creative quality, his ability is obvious.
He continues to earn the praise of coaches and former players and he feels he is becoming more effective, having scored three goals and made three assists in 18 Eredivisie games, but he wants to be more influential.
"I want to get more assists and score more goals," he told Ajax TV. "Then I guess I'm a pretty complete player. Although I must also make some progress defensively. But I'm working hard, and it is all going in the right direction."
Not everything has been positive for the impressive player, however. Upon his return to Eindhoven to face PSV with Ajax last season, he suffered the wrath of the home fans, with one supporter throwing an iPhone at him, though thankfully he escaped unharmed.
He was recently the victim of racist abuse form ADO Den Haag fans, which made headlines around Europe. The teenager remained quiet on the matter and instead opted to react on the pitch – in Ajax’s next game, he scored in the first minute to secure a 1-0 win over Vitesse.
"I don't understand how, in 2016, we can still have racism in stadiums,” he said. "I just want to play football. I did not let it affect my game. I am now so strong mentally that I don't let anyone make me mad."
It is repulsive that a 19-year-old should be forced to face such disgraceful behaviour when doing his job, but through it all, Bazoer showed his strength and resilience. That, coupled with his physique, technique and footballing ability, can see him to the top.
- Goal