Daley Blind's redemption

Daley Blind, currently undergoing a breakout season, joined Ajax as an eight-year-old in June 1998.

There was a moment, minutes from the final whistle, in one of Ajax's most recent outings at Willem II that would have been unimaginable a year ago. The hundreds of supporters, packed into a corner of the stadium, broke into song – as they did throughout – but it was a different melody. "Daley Blind is een echte Ajacied" they chanted. It was confirmation of the most maligned players in Frank de Boer’s side had finally won acceptance from his own public. In truth Blind won them over with his performances. A poll in one of Ajax's most popular fansite saw him unanimously voted as the clubs best player in the first half of the season. His struggles in the past can be boiled down to two factors: his name and struggles with consistency.

Being the son of a club legend comes with its own tribulations. Danny Blind, who captained Ajax to European Cup glory in 1995, can attest from experience how difficult winning the Amsterdam faithful can be. His arrival from Sparta Rotterdam in 1986, signed by Johan Cruyff, was met with disapproval from club captain Marco van Basten (due to his low profile and not being a stellar name), it would be a while before he would cement his place at the heart of Ajax's defence, when he did the dissent that once surround him had long passed. His farewell game, and teary goodbye, was testament to his newfound status among the clubs pantheon of greats.

Blind Snr was one of the most intelligent yet tenacious defenders to wear the red-and-white. A take no prisoner mindset meant if the opposition had managed to break free of Ajax's passing carousel, before testing Edwin van der Sar, there was the small matter of getting past him. More often than not it proved to be a difficult challenge. Danny was also equally adept going forward often joining attacks, for the large part of his career early on from his sweeper role in Ajax’s 3-4-3, the one trait seemingly passed down to Daley (aside from his trademark shaggy hair), playing at left-back, is mental toughness. "I've never doubted my own abilities," without it wouldn't be where he is today. "Everything is better now," he recently said in an interview discussing the relationship, described as love-hate, with his clubs supporters. 

The departure of Jan Vertonghen, who acted as a mentor to Blind last season, meant he was the most senior player in defence. It wasn't lost on manager Frank de Boer who before the start of the impending campaign took Blind to one side and reminded him. At the backend of last season Blind went from squad player to regular starter partly due to Nicolai Boilesen continually sidelined with a niggly hamstring injury. Where in the past Blind fluctuated between half-decent performances and something bordering unsatisfactory, the confidence ingrained by De Boer – who let's not forget is one of two world class left-backs Dutch football has produced – saw Blind start steadily turning 4/10 into something pushing 7/10. He's kicked on this season. "The penny finally dropped," De Boer, pleased with his constant improvement, stated. 

It couldn't have come at a more pertinent time. Blind, who joined the club as an eight-year-old before making his professional debut 10 years later in 2008, current contract expires in June and made it clear he wants to remain. "Everyone knows Ajax is my club". De Boer confirmed talks will be held in February. If he doesn't sign, or come to an agreement, there's a possibility of a return to the bench in accordance to Ajax's new policy of not playing those seeing out their contract (e.g. Miralem Sulejmani). There's no shortage of options if that comes to pass: Boilesen is hoping to return in March and Mitchell Dijks is highly thought of by De Boer. Blind's versatility, capable of playing centrally in defence or midfield, means he's viewed as an asset. The inconsistency that dogged him coincidentally eroded once De Boer (again) altered his system. "I'm indebted to Frank de Boer," Blind would say, like most modern full-backs Blind's strength is multi-tasking: positionally disciplined, tactically versed, strong going forward and defensively astute. 

In their KNVB Beker tie at Groningen – where he spent a year on loan – De Boer switched to a 3-4-3 diamond, as a way to take control of the game, Blind seamlessly drifted into midfield playing as the anchor ('number four'). One of the many to graduate from Ajax's academy laced across the first eleven, the clubs DNA courses through his blood, he might not be the best left-back/defender (feels like Vertonghen will move from left-back to centre-back his natural postion) around but is one of the few that knows the football De Boer wants played like the back of his hand, with added swagger, "I can play my own game." In short a product of the system. A key element to Ajax’s attacking game is their full-backs, effectively auxiliary wingers, Blind like teammate Ricardo van Rhijn at right-back would be stationed for large spells of games in the opposition half – consequence of playing a high defensive line – both equally attack-minded and simultaneously strengthening their defensive game (Blind further ahead) because they play for a side that dominates possession it's a process than can afford to be gradual. Yet to register a competitive goal he's come close on a few occasions. In recent weeks formed a neat tandem with wide-playmaker Viktor Fischer, saying that shown high levels of synergy whoever is down his flank, as well as with the rest of his teammates when moving horizontally.

Actions speak louder than words. Every time he's stepped onto the pitch (27 times so far this season same amount as captain Siem de Jong) through a combination of discipline, sticking to the basics, and freely expressing himself – at all times following De Boer's instructions to the letter – he's come out as one of Ajax's better and consistent performers. The hard work shown to better himself, which has paid off and evidently seen, is possibly the underlying reason why the same supporters that once were critical have now taken to him. He's no Paolo Maldini, though cited him as a role model, but is the clubs most improved player. Also it's worth nothing his father was a late developer. The next step is Oranje, when his father was announced as Louis van Gaal's assistant he joked a call-up would be imminent, in all seriousness the way things are going for him, when he does make Van Gaal's squad it will be deserved.

Aad de Mos, former manager of Ajax, described him earlier in the season as a "revelation" at left-back. Highlighting his performance at home against Real Madrid as the only positive in what was a disappointing game. Blind's standout performance for Ajax against Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League opener led to Elf Voetbal publishing a feature titled "The rehabilitation of Daley Blind". It was an honest assessment of how a footballer became an integral figure despite once a butt of jokes.

Many in the past crudely put down his presence at Ajax due to nepotism on the count of his father's stature and involvement with the club (either as coach or administrator), dismissing any thought he could be there on merit, before a game instead of being open-minded their conclusion was already made. He would be the first to be blamed if Ajax were to drop points. Those who dismissed such nonsensical ideas and felt he was out of his depth have since held their hands up. One of the blights on modern football is the lack of patience shown Blind's ascent this season is not only a victory for his coaches and those who believed in him but himself. However, unfortunately, there will still be those who would rather stay blind (pun not intended).