Title: Tijjani Reijnders’ Ascension Signals a Bright Future for the Netherlands National Team
As the Dutch football scene continues to evolve, the rise of Tijjani Reijnders has emerged as a beacon of hope for the Netherlands national team. His journey from the ranks of AZ Alkmaar to the prestigious AC Milan and now the Euro 2024 spotlight is a testament to his relentless ambition and talent.
Reijnders’ meteoric rise began in 2022, when he capped off a stellar season with AZ Alkmaar. Pascal Jansen, a former coach of Reijnders, remembers the midfielder’s desire to excel. I can remember it like it was yesterday, Jansen tells Sky Sports. He smashed everyone in midfield, Jansen recalls. But this ambitious player wanted more.
Reijnders’ determination was evident as he sought more playing time under Jansen’s tutelage. He came up to me and said, ‘Coach, I have played 50 per cent of the minutes but I need more.’ I told him that the impact he had made at the end of that season had to be the standard for next season. He said, ‘No problem, that is what I will do.’
Reijnders’ commitment paid off as he started every match of the following campaign, a testament to his hard work and dedication. He took off and never looked back, Jansen says. He just went on and on, leading to a highly anticipated move to AC Milan.
Jansen’s belief in Reijnders’ potential was well-founded. I have seen him grow. He has improved himself so, so much, Jansen adds. He made the next step and just continued. That surprised a lot of people but not me because I could see that he was on his way, especially in our European games. He made the difference.
This summer, Reijnders will face a new challenge as he steps into the role of directing the Netherlands’ midfield at Euro 2024. With the departures of Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners, the responsibility falls on Reijnders’ shoulders. However, there is a sense of confidence that he can rise to the occasion.
Born in the same year as Koopmeiners, Reijnders was a relative late bloomer in Alkmaar. While Koopmeiners was a regular, Reijnders spent time on loan with RKC Waalwijk, honing his skills and waiting for his chance. He had the ability to play as a 10 but he was not as good there as in midfield, Jansen explains. So he was competing with those guys and he had to wait his turn.
Reijnders’ breakthrough came in his final season at AZ, where he truly blossomed. Jansen sees this as a prime example of a player seizing his chance. Once he went in, he improved himself daily, Jansen says. Just by playing, feeling the confidence from his coach and from the team, he matured. He had all the tools but it was when he got the opportunity to show them that he delivered.
That productivity has been on full display throughout Reijnders’ debut season with AC Milan, where he ranks among the top 10 players in Serie A for chances created from open play, passes completed in the final third of the pitch, and through-balls.
Reijnders’ positive attitude and dedication have been well-supported by his family, including his father, Martin, a former professional footballer who continues to handle much of his affairs. The decision to join Milan was a strategic one, balancing career and emotional considerations.
As Reijnders continues to evolve on the football field, his journey serves as an inspiration for the Netherlands national team. With a steady and calm personality, as Jansen describes, Reijnders is poised to make his mark at Euro 2024 and beyond.
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