Bobby Robson was at the NEC-Ajax match yesterday in Nijmegen. I followed the game on TV curious whom he was watching. NEC (now coached by Johan Neeskens) won 1-0 thanks to the Macedonian ex-Tyke Hristov. The teams lined up: NEC- Gentenaar, Collen, Hesp, Wisgerhof, Leiwakabessy, Van Rijswijk, Latuhero, Shulz, Zonneveld, Hristov (Shulp), De Gier (Ax)

Ajax- Grim, Vierklau, Chivu (Yakubu), Pasanen, De Cler, Galasek, Van der Gun, Van der Vaart, Van der Meyde, Arveladze, Bechan (Quansah)

Of these I'd happily take young Romanian central-defender Chivu, and teenage midfield prodigies Van der Gun, and Van der Vaart, but its hard to see Ajax letting them go. Hristov has been much more effective here than during his Barnsley-period and Van Rijswijk is a Hendrix-loving Dutch Hippy who, if nothing else, would bring some colour to the changing room.

Then again perhaps Mrs Robson just fancied seeing the bulb fields.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2001

Answers

AP

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2001

Stevo,

According to this morning's Journal Robson was there principally to watch 18 yr-old Rafael Van der Vaart.
However, 'a source close to the player' has said "Privately, Rafael has told his friends and family that he wants to stay in Holland to develop his skills for the next 2-3 years".

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2001

Oh good another promising youngster in the Bonvin/Gavilan mould? What position does he play?

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2001

"Of these I'd happily take young Romanian central-defender Chivu"

Didn't this lad play left back for Romania in Euro 2000? He looked a class apart at left-back and many huge clubs, not just big clubs, were ready to buy him.

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2001

De Builder, well spotted. Chivu played left-back for Romania but is first choice centre-half for Ajax. He's class, only about 20 but just extended his contract. Rafael Van der Vaart (17-02-1983) is a product of the Amsterdammers youth system, made his debut last season and has now a permament place in midfield. Plays deep, lovely passer of the ball. A prospect but given his age, and the fact he's only played 20 first-games a move 'abroad' would strike me as premature. Definitely one to watch though. Wish we'd learn from Ajax's youth system.

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2001