Tomorrow afternoon Tijjani Reijnders will hear whether he is part of the final selection of the Dutch national team. NH Sport first met the sympathetic midfielder in 2017. At the time, reporter Thomas Brood made a documentary about Young AZ, which started its first season in the first division. “A polite boy who always said you to me,” says Brood.
In the 2017-2018 season, Reijnders played in midfield at Young AZ with Mees Hoedemakers and Jamie Jacobs. That duo now plays at Cambuur Leeuwarden. Reijnders eventually developed into a permanent force in the first of AZ.
Not constant
Trainers in 2017 were Martin Haar and Denny Landzaat. “He just came over from PEC Zwolle. He did too much then and had an enormous urge to assert himself,” says Haar. “One game he scored an eight and then a five. His rental period at RKC did him good and after that he developed very well.”
In the documentary, Reijnders is followed for a morning. He lives on his own for the first time and was not yet in possession of a driver’s license. He is picked up by teammate Justin Bakker. Upon arrival at the training complex, the footballer compliments fellow players Viktor Karl Einarsson. He just bought some flashy shoes. A typical scene for the then very young Reijnders.
Getting used to Martin Haar
We are now six years later and Reijnders has also become physically stronger. From teenager to young man. Moreover, Reijnders is now a footballer with the necessary experience in the premier league, but had to get used to the directness of Martin Haar at Young AZ. “A very direct man of the old school. He tells it like it is. I was not used to a trainer being able to rage like that,” Reijnders said at the time.
Haar is full of praise for Reijnders. “A great boy. Eager to learn and who listens very well. I am convinced that he is in the final selection. He is ball-handling and has an enormous drive. I am sure that he has not yet reached his ceiling,” says Haar.
More goals
However, Haar also sees room for improvement. He needs to get into the sixteen more. He doesn’t score enough goals now. I also think that he can defend a little bit more,” said Haar.
The final selection of the Orange squad will be announced on Monday.
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