Mendes Da Silva: AZ’s new engine on midfield

Seven years after their first cooperation AZ midfielder and coach Ronald Koeman meet again. The 2002-03 season was the worst in the career of the Rotterdam born player. Now, the best season and definitely the most important one awaits, with Champions League football and an upcoming World Cup.

Ajax signed Mendes Da Silva in January 2003 from Sparta. The youngster had a good run under Frank Rijkaard as talented young player. In the Amsterdam ArenA, where Koeman was the boss, everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Mendes had to gear up a notch, got injured and wasn’t able to come back into the team due to the fierce competition in the Ajax group.

When he returned to Sparta that summer, he had never played one official game for Ajax. The “new Rijkaard” would remain a nobody for the Ajax fans.

Koeman and Mendes discussed that failed adventure when they first met again this summer at AZ. Not because Mendes blamed Koeman for something or because Koeman felt Mendes wasn’t good enough.

AZ coach Ronald Koeman: “Listen, David had to compete with Ajax players like Nigel de Jong, Wesley Sneijder and Raf van der Vaart. Quite some competitors for a midfield spot. He had injuries and Ajax demands and demanded a tremendous high pace. He had trouble with that. But David developed and is now part of Van Marwijk’s pre-selection, so that says it all.”

Via Sparta and NAC, the athlete came back. His physical condition is an example for every physio. He was a regular starter under Van Gaal and played on different spots in the team. Under Ronald Koeman, Mendes Da Silva will be the central midfielder.

While the fans fear a gaping wound in midfield with De Zeeuw’s demise, Koeman isn’t worried.

Koeman: “In all honesty, I did feel Mendes would be a tremendous competitor for Demy on that spot. I had him in mind already even before De Zeeuw decided to move. He is complete, fast, physically strong and brings power to midfield. I think he’s stronger in defense than De Zeeuw.”

Koeman has a clear opinion about the balance in the team. The squad leans over to the offense too much. Lens might be the fastest striker in the Eredivisie. El Hamdaoui only has eye for the goal. Dembele is the King of the Solo. Ari and Pelle almost refuse to defend.

Koeman knows that most of the balance comes on the able shoulders of Schaars and Mendes, not without coincidence the only AZ internationals for Oranje.

“When I had Culina at Ajax, I never used him in his role. He was a striker back then. At PSV, I was very happy with Jason. Not all players are ready for the big game when they’re very young. I can see that with David as well. Now, he’s one of the key players.”