Ajax minutes for Abdalla: 'Rather against FC Dordrecht than banking with one'
Attacking midfielder Mohamed Abdalla prefers playing for Jong Ajax over sitting on the bench for the first team. The 16-year-old looked on in awe at Julian Brandt's training session last week. 'We had more than one goal to make and I could have done more at the opponent's goal, but I didn't', Abdalla said after Jong Ajax's 2-1 loss to FC Dordrecht. He was good for the assist in the Amsterdam goal. 'It wasn't very good, not very bad. Just normal', he began on ESPN. Abdalla made headlines a few weeks ago by becoming the youngest European goal-scorer in Ajax's history in the Conference League. Now he's making his minutes with the reserves. 'I haven't spoken with the trainer (Míchel, red.) about my plan yet, but I have with Jordi (Cruijff, red.). Of course, you want to play for the first team, but I'd rather play 90 minutes against FC Dordrecht than sit on the bench. I want to make as many minutes as possible at the highest level.' Abdalla trains regularly with the first team. 'I'm very patient and just try to learn from those boys. They're world-class and I try to pick up as much as I can from them. They help me and explain things to me', the young player said, who particularly enjoys Brandt. 'On the first training session, he shot the balls in with both feet. That's the level I want to reach. The man has a fixed shot, you know. You'll see that soon. Hopefully, I can reach that level someday.'
Why is this important for AFC Ajax?
AFC Ajax is currently in 5th place in the Eredivisie, with 51 points from 30 games. They are 23 points behind PSV Eindhoven. Jong Ajax has scored 57 goals and conceded 37 goals this season, with a +20 goal difference.
What's next?
Abdalla wants to make as many minutes as possible at the highest level. He'll have to wait until he gets his chance with the first team. Until then, he'll make his minutes with Jong Ajax. 'I'm very patient and just try to learn from those boys. They're world-class and I try to pick up as much as I can from them. They help me and explain things to me', the young player said.
