Daley Blind and the rise of the football sons…

Daley Blind

It should have been in beautiful clash between two football sons, recently at Ajax’ youth complex.

The A1 youth hosted a game versus PSV. This should have been the confrontation of one Daley Blind – libero of Ajax – and one Arne Nilis, offensive midfielder. The son of former Ajax skipper Danny Blind plays just like his dad. A defender on paper, but with the wits and vision to move up to midfield to pressure the opponent. Arne Nilis inherited the offensive genes of his dad Luc Nilis. These two would constantly be in each others’ way. But, it didn’t come any further than the two dads shaking hands at the touch line. When Arne Nilis lost 3-0 against a rampaging Ajax, Daley Blind had again moved up a station, preparing with Ajax 1 for his season’s debut.

It wasn’t really mouthwatering what the two teams had to show. Ajax is simply too good, this year. The PSV youngsters are trailing in their competition, while Ajax will win the title, so it seems. When one looked at the stands, there was quite a gathering of football glory. Frank de Boer coaches Ajax, Phillip Cocu coaches PSV. Piet Keizer, Sjaak Swart, Marco van Basten, John van ‘t Schip, Aron Winter, Wim Jonk and Simon Tahamata were all present to watch the new talents do their thing.

Without excemption these former stars all saw Daley Blind getting ready for the real thing. Many times, the young Blind was moved up a team, to give him more resistance. A year and a half ago, Ajax offered Daley a three year deal, despite the multi-year contract Arsene Wenger of Arsenal had prepared for him. One of the world’s most exciting clubs. Blind senior and junior traveled to London and met with Wenger. They were highly impressed, but both decided the left footer was better served with a longer stay in Amsterdam.

Arne Nilis

That was all irrelevant on the day Danny Blind and his wife saw their 18 year old son make his debut. He forced a corner kick allowing Vertonghen to score the winner. His dad will have told him to keep his feet firmly on the ground. That it all started now, and that there’s a long way ahead.

Like Ton Pattinama did in Breda, when his son Edinho made his debut for NAC. Dad Pattinama played for Excelsior, FC Utrecht and FC Den Haag. Three months earlier, Edwin Godee – developed at Ajax with 500 Eredivisie games to his name – saw his son Joey make his debut at Sparta.

In the meantime, Daley Blind is not the next big thing anymore. The insiders at Ajax have recently discovered another talent. He has just signed a three-year deal and is now part of young Ajax. The insiders claim this chap is of the “extraordinary” category. His name? Danilo Sousa Campos… Or Wamberto Junior…