Ajax Defender Owen Wijndal Reveals Tactical Shift In His Game: "The Coach Really Emphasises That"
· Yahoo Sports
Owen Wijndal reportedly came close to leaving Ajax during the summer transfer window. Ajax were reportedly open to parting ways with the left-back, who is now in the final year of his contract at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
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Ajax also signed two left-backs during the summer. They signed Caio Henrique from AS Monaco, as well as Jofre Torrents from Barcelona.
Henrique started the majority of games for Ajax before suffering a thigh injury against Excelsior in September. The Brazilian returned to the matchday squad against FC Twente, but did not come on.
Jofre Torrents has only made three appearances, and his only start came against Hajduk Split in the Conference League, where he produced a poor performance. He has only played once since, when he came on as a substitute against FC Midtjylland. Wijndal has started most games at left-back in Henrique's absence, and he has played well in several games.
Wijndal on his new role under Michel SanchezSpeaking to ESPN after Ajax's 2-2 draw against FC Twente in Enschede on Sunday afternoon, Wijndal spoke about how his game has changed under Michel Sanchez, who became Ajax head coach in the summer.
Often this season, Wijndal has played in the half space high up the pitch, making underlapping runs as opposed to overlapping runs to hold the width.
"The coach really emphasises that," Wijndal said when asked about the underlapping runs he makes.
"If there is space in the half-space, I can receive the ball there and create something myself, or the winger can be played directly.
"It is unnecessary for me to overlap then, so it is better to make a run inside and pick up the ball there, or the winger can make a run on his own. I think we have been doing that all season, and it is working well."