Eredivisie
Rafael van der Vaart changes view after Brandt's Ajax performances
On Ajax's training ground, Rafael van der Vaart watched Julian Brandt score six goals after just twelve league appearances – a sight that convinced the former Dutch international. “He does it superbly,” van der Vaart told dpa, adding: “He’s great. He’s the best player at Ajax.”
From Criticism to Praise
A few weeks ago, van der Vaart took a more critical view of Brandt’s signing on the Dutch channel and emphasized that one should not be grateful that the former Borussia Dortmund star plays for Ajax. He said at the time: “He may be a good addition, but we don’t have to be grateful that he plays for Ajax. Brandt should be happy.”
The change of heart stems from Brandt’s outstanding performances in Amsterdam, van der Vaart explained with a laugh after recalling the label “fair‑weather footballer.” “I was also a fair‑weather footballer. That was actually a compliment, nothing negative.”
The 30‑year‑old attacking midfielder has even contributed two goals to the September Goal of the Month voting in recent matches, where both ended up at the very top.
Despite Brandt’s personal success, Ajax still sit in fifth place in the Eredivisie, five points behind leaders Feyenoord from Rotterdam, and thus fall short of their own expectations.
In the Conference League, Ajax face Hajduk Split from Croatia on Thursday in the first league match at 18:45, with Brandt and his teammates looking to showcase their abilities again.
Although Brandt has earned 48 caps and three goals for the German national team, he was recently not selected for the mega‑squad of new national coach Jürgen Klopp. “I’m trying to convince the new national coach with my performances,” Brandt said most recently.